Saturday’s 4-0 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur means that Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have picked up four successive defeats for the first time since 2006/07. The eight-time Premier League champions now lie in second place, eight points behind leaders Liverpool.
Even though it is still possible for them to retain their title, it doesn’t look like the same City that we have been used to.
Let’s look at the issues Guardiola and his team are facing.
Rodri, A Huge Miss
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Spanish midfielder, who won the Ballon d’Or this year, is out with an ACL injury this season.
Rodri picked up the injury during City’s 1-1 draw at home against Arsenal.
This is a huge miss for the team, as the 28-year-old dictates the team’s playing style.
Embed from Getty ImagesMateo Kovacic and Rico Lewis, who has been filling in for the Spaniard, have been nowhere near good enough.
Lack of Intensity in Pressing
Embed from Getty ImagesWhile we all know Guardiola’s side likes to dominate possession of the ball, winning it back is one thing they are usually brilliant at.
But the amount of time Spurs could counterattack was quite incredible.
You could argue that they looked more confident on the ball.
Very rarely do you see a Guardiola team look disorganised on and off the ball.
‘I Still Trust My Players’
Embed from Getty ImagesDespite the team’s difficult situation, the City boss still has faith in his players to pull the team out of a sticky situation.
“I trust these players more than ever,” “I’ve never seen a player in my life who wants to perform badly or make a bad performance to the fans or for the club. Nobody wants it. When we started to lose, I said to people, ‘we have to find a way’,” “That is my duty.
Guardiola: BBC Sport
Whilst this is a sign of a top Manager who has control of his team, it’s also a sign of a possible end of an era in terms of the team starting to age a little.
This was the same thing that happened with Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool.
The Reds had an unbelievable seven years under the German, winning the Premier League, Champions League, Club World Club, Fa Cup, and the EFL Cup.
But last season, because of the team’s heavy-metal style of football, they looked a little short of fuel to push them over the line.
City’s next Premier League game is the Sunday clash against Liverpool at Anfield.
Although this looks like a must-not-lose game, it feels like a must-win game to keep their hopes of a fifth consecutive League Title.
What do you think? Is Manchester City in a crisis, or is this just a blip in form?
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