After consecutive uninspiring performances, some fans are concerned. Will this be the theme of the season? There is no reason to worry.
Heading into the first international break, Manchester City is sitting at the fourth place spot with two wins and a draw. Even if those two wins came from Bright & Albion and Bournemouth, most fans would be rather pleased with this string of result. However, that is certainly not the case.
In the opening game, Manchester City struggled to open up the newly promoted Brighton & Albion side. It took them seventy frustrating, agonizing minutes before Sergio Aguero finally found the back of the net. Their lead only increased thanks to Lewis Dunk’s own goal. While the Cityzens dominated the game as expected, the killer instinct was not to be found.
Against Everton, City needed to be rescued by Sterling’s late goal to salvage a point. Leroy Sane looked lost as the left wing-back, Kyle Walker had a mare, and John Stones was marking invisible strikers. The result was a laboring draw against a clearly inferior team.
The game against Bournemouth was a struggle as well. After Charlie Daniels’ worldie, Gabriel Jesus quickly tied up the game. Following seventy minutes were ugly, unpredictable game of football that could have gone either way. Joshua King was a constant threat while City’s forwards struggled to create dangerous chances. The only real threat was when Nicolas Otamendi, a defender, smashed the post on a corner. It was not until Raheem Sterling had to once again rescue the team at the very very last minute surrounded to snatch that three point.
To say these performances are up to Guardiola and Manchester City’s expectation is laughable. Tactically, it is easy for the fans to question the Spaniard boss. Bringing out the five-at-the-back formation with Fernandinho against the newly promoted side, City struggled to create dangerous chances. Danilo struggled at left wing-back and Fernandinho contributed nothing creatively.
In a clash against Everton, Guardiola brought out the same formation that struggled against Brighton. The only change in the lineup was that Sane was now at the left wing-back. This led to another problem as the German simply could not defend well enough. The goal scored by Wayne Rooney was the prime example for this.
Finally, against Bournemouth, Guardiola brought out the much more familiar 4-3-3. and the team played their best football yet. Even with Bernardo Silva’s lack of pace down the right-hand side, City was dangerous in many aspects. However, such problem led to the back line being more exposed. Both Danilo and Mendy were pushing up quite a bit and joining the attack. Hence, Joshua King’s performance.
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However, one can not expect anyone to put together the perfect tactics in mere three games with three new signings. Balancing Gabriel Jesus and Aguero, the full-backs and the wing-backs, the midfield combination, and all will take time. No matter how much you practice, nothing can simulate the real game-time atmosphere.
Also, there were personnel issues as well. Everyone knows Danilo and Sane should not be playing left wing-back, and they will not unless it is necessary. That only happened because of Benjamin Mendy’s fitness issue. Kyle Walker was also absent after the red card, forcing Pep to start Danilo in all three games so far.
Next: Bournemouth vs Manchester City Player Ratings
There is still no reason to doubt Manchester City as one of the title favorites. They are undefeated with two victories thus far, after all. Fans must see past the struggling performances and realize the team is gelling together.