Manchester City and Pep Guardiola make rare errors

Pep Guardiola’s decision-making is rarely imperfect. In fact, he is a tactical master, yet he got it wrong last week.

Two defeats in a row is not a disaster, even for Pep Guardiola. However, if it comes in your two most important games, questions will be asked.

Manchester City lost to Liverpool 3-0 on Wednesday in the Champions League first-leg. They have the chance to redeem themselves on Tuesday in the second.

Following this, they were beaten 3-2 by Manchester United on Saturday. The title could have been sewn-up at the Etihad.

Their shape and desire with or without the ball was different. City were, however, 2-0 up by half-time. That score should have been more as Raheem Sterling wasted three great chances.

Guardiola was booed by some Citizens supporters at the final whistle. A quite stunning turn of events after just four days. Losing to the Red Devils is never easy for City to take.

Misfiring then capitulation when the Premier League can be won against them in particular, seemed devastating for fans; Guardiola promptly proclaimed to be a “little sad”. During his post-match press conference he was optimistic though:

“Hopefully there won’t be too much damage until next Tuesday, we have to stand up and move forward.”

(Via: BBC, Match of the Day)

Miscalculation on Merseyside

Against Liverpool, there were less questionable decisions with regards to tactics. Benching Sterling was seen as a protective manoeuvre, due to the animosity for him at Anfield. Although I believe it derailed his momentum.

Sterling is a fragile player, although Guardiola has nurtured him perfectly, raising his game and output. Placing him as a constant starter in a superb team has also elevated his confidence.

Ilkay Gundogan was played out-of-position. The usually reliable central-midfielder was stranded and seemingly unwitting out-wide. Due to no fault of his own, as we saw him score against Manchester United from the centre-midfield.

Disunited

While against United, there were more managerial oversights: in particular, resting players. We all know City will win the league, even so it would have gone down in history to win it against their city rivals.

Paul Pogba capitalised on two Nicolas Otamendi mistakes to draw level; the Argentine should arguably be benched against the Reds in Europe.

The Spanish boss cannot be blamed for poor defending, nor absent clinical-finishing of his forwards. Can he be blamed for the team cracking under pressure?

His analogy tells the tale of two halves:

“When you have that momentum you have to close the door. And we didn’t close it (against United)” – Pep Guardiola (Via: Telegraph)

What is certain is the 47-year-old can be held accountable for leaving his best two strikers on the bench. Sergio Aguero is returning from a knee injury. Therefore tentativeness in selection, especially with Liverpool upcoming, is understandable.

Belief in Jesus?

Excluding Gabriel Jesus from the starting line-up is less explainable. The Brazilian had scored or assisted in his previous three games for City. Netting against Germany for Brazil in between.

In his last two games he has not seemed himself. Being booked twice, missing chances and going adrift from the high-press. Summarising for Sky Sports, Gary Neville commented on Jesus as he lost control against United, claiming “His head has gone”.

21-years-of-age can provide issues in a highly-tense profession, he has had maturity issues recently. I consequently also wonder if he is truly good enough as the long-term replacement for the departing Aguero.

In the same way the talented, yet not superstar-material Kelechi Iheanacho was edged-out. This revealed a possible depth of squad issue, which was another reason why I fancied Liverpool.

I do not think Bernardo Silva has the quality to be used as a central-striker. Even if it is interchangeable as a ‘false-nine’ with Leroy Sane and Sterling. He is a Sterling/Sane understudy at best.

If Man City are eliminated from the Champions League by Liverpool it could cause a delay in their Premier League crowning. Low confidence perpetuates bad results. They will be champions 2017/18 eventually though.

The Reds will almost certainly be offensive at the Etihad on Tuesday. United only realised you can rattle the Citizens in the second-half.

Although Guardiola revealed the back-to-back losses are maybe his fault, he is reportedly signing a new deal. Will the Sky Blues rebound revitalised or do you see a dip in form, not to mention European exit materialising?

• Published on 04/10/2018 at 6:42 AM EST
• Last updated on 04/10/2018 at 6:42 AM EST