'A big step' - The key to Man City evolution explained

Intelligence and adaptation are key to Manchester City's ever-evolving defence, says Ruben Dias.

City have pioneered the inverted full-back in the last two seasons with Joao Cancelo and Aleks Zinchenko and they now they play with a system where both full-backs can move into midfield, as can centre-back John Stones. With a back-four out of possession, City are able to move to a back three with the ball as Stones advances.

Manu Akanji, Nathan Ake, Kyle Walker and Rico Lewis are all capable of adding an extra body into midfield, while being tactically aware to switch to the back three when needed. According to Dias, that intelligence is key to City's successes this season.

Praising Stones in particular, who excelled in impressive midfield performances against Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Manchester United, Dias said the England man has transformed how City play.

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“We all get along very well and one of the main characteristics we all have is that we are intelligent and adaptive to situations that come up," Dias told ManCity.com

“If the solution we are doing is not exactly what we need, we’re able to adapt. These days, it’s a very important characteristic to have not just in one player but in your team.

"The biggest change is to John. From being to my side and then he has to go in the middle and have a completely different role from what it used to be.

“He has definitely showed us how good he is and how good he can be in that position. I am happy for him and I love him. It’s a big step in our team because you end up having an extra man in the middle and then in two seconds he is next to me.”

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