EPL 2020/21: How Ruben Dias-led defence propelled Man City to league title

May 12

15:52 2021

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The 2020/2021 English Premier League (EPL) season has finally been decided with the inevitable outcome of Manchester City winning a fifth title. Pep Guardiola’s side had been champions-in-waiting for a few weeks, delayed only by Manchester United, their local rivals, who had a habit of comeback victories.

This season did not start well for City as well as the other members of the “big six”. While an epileptic Man United and fallen Tottenham both threatened at one point, former champions Liverpool endured one of its worst-ever EPL campaigns as Chelsea wobbled under Frank Lampard before Thomas Tuchel, his replacement, steadied the ship. But City rose from the eighth position to claim the third title in four years.

This season has also seen Man City grow – and especially Guardiola, their highly tactical manager — from a fancy side to one with much-needed grit. Man City are known for scoring goals but that reduced this season with 72 compared to 102 last season. The Cityzens embarked on an 82-day winning streak leading to records of most consecutive league wins by a top-flight team from the start of a calendar year (13), consecutive unbeaten away matches (22), and a league-equalling run of 11 consecutive away wins that can be broken on Friday night.

In a season that Man City scored two goals per game in 24 league matches so far, a statistics unusual for a usually high-scoring Guardiola side, the above records would not be achievable without the input from a consistent defence.

Finally, a rock-solid defence.

The foundation — and saving grace — for the former Bayern Munich and Barcelona coach is in a defence that has gulped half a billion since 2016. The 50-year-old coach finally bought the final piece of the puzzle in September last year as £65 million Ruben Dias joined from Benfica with instant impact.

The Portuguese centre back has contributed to City conceding only 26 league goals so far this season, a rapid improvement from 35 conceded last season and second only to Atletico Madrid and Lille’s 22 in Europe’s top five leagues.

The unassuming but no-nonsense defender has also improved everyone around the back four, especially John Stones, the England international defender. The pair formed a partnership that went 608 minutes without conceding in all competitions, and City’s defence has kept 18 clean sheets — more than last season already — with fewer errors leading to goals (three this season from seven last season).

The Dias-led defence has stopped the opposition from getting close to City’s defensive third, as exemplified by fewer blocked shots, interceptions and tackles respectively. They have mastered the act of pushing up the field to perfection with over 90% pass accuracy while also chipping in important goals during the season.

While the EPL title is done and dusted, this newfound steel in defence would be required as Man City seek to achieve a first international treble with upcoming finals in the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League later this month.

EPL RECORDS EQUALLED/SET BY MAN CITY IN 2020/21 SEASON