closed Man City 1-3 Chelsea

[Sideshow Luiz 2,310]

I don't really think that Pep got "found out".  His game plan was sound, IMO.

City overloaded the (their) right side of the pitch in order to get De Bruyne just inside the flank (right half space, I suppose).  Navas out wide and Silva just inside to occupy Alonso and Cahill respectively.  So De Bruyne would effectively be able to whip in crosses because there would be some marking issues and he would have time on the ball.

This stopped when Hazard dropped deeper to fill the space.  

In the 343, this is a soft spot, the half spaces.  Not wide enough for the WB to mark, but far enough to make the CM late or unsure to get over.  Unfortunately, for City, in order for them to do this, they left themselves exposed at the back.

City didn't really play a 343 either, it was more like a 3241.  The 2 in front of the defence to pick up Hazard and Pedro coming inside.

I think it was a sound plan, and on another day, they could have won.

However, I also laugh at the "lucky" comments (not necessarily on this forum).  Sure, KDB misses and it's a turning point.  But, they don't get those chances without committing forward like they did, and thus, leave themselves completely exposed at the back.  Their game plan was to either score or get scored on.  Didn't score got punished.  Those were the only two scenarios that could happen. 

That's how I read it all, at least.

On another note, when Matic was reported as being out, I thought for sure that Conte would go with a 352.  Cesc and Chalobah in for Matic and Pedro.