Manchester City's weakness exposed? Is there a problem on the right side of the defence?

Instead of bouncing back after three losses in a row, Manchester City are sinking deeper into crisis after suffering a 2-1 defeat against Brighton. They have recorded their worst losing streak since the tenure of coach Josep Guardiola.

Playing on Sunday, November 9th, 2024, City initially led in the first half through a goal by Erling Haaland in the 23rd minute.

However, Brighton's coach, Fabian Hurzeler, gave a tactical lesson in the second half, with Brighton's aggressive attack causing City difficulties. Although Brighton wasted several opportunities, they eventually equalized through Joao Pedro in the 78th minute.

Five minutes later, debutant player Matt O'Riley scored the decisive goal for Brighton's victory, leaving Guardiola with a lot of homework during the international break.

Is There a Weakness on City's Right Side?

The defeat from Brighton highlights a gap that may be being exploited by opposing teams, namely the right side of City's defense.

Brighton consistently attacked this side, with 44.9% of their attacks coming from City's right defence, compared to only 26.9% on the left.

Kyle Walker, who filled the right side, seemed overwhelmed by the movements of Kaoru Mitoma and substitute Joao Pedro.

City has indeed used Rico Lewis as Walker's substitute, but he often shifts to the centre when attacking, leaving room for opponents to exploit the right side.

Statistics Show Weakness

This season's statistics show that 38.7% of opponent attacks come from City's right defence, larger than the 36% from the left. This indicates a potential weakness that could be further exploited.

Will this weakness be the focus of Guardiola's improvements? Opposing teams now seem increasingly confident in attacking City's right defence, a situation that rarely occurred during Guardiola's heyday with City.

Guardiola's Response

Pep Guardiola, known for his tactical acumen, is facing one of his toughest challenges yet. In a recent press conference, he acknowledged the team's struggles, stating that

""We are in a difficult moment, it's true, but I have full faith in my team. We need to work harder, be more focused, and show our character.""

- Pep Guardiola

Asked about the team's defensive issues on the right side, Guardiola admitted,

""We have to improve in all areas, not just on the right. Football is a game of balance, and we need to find ours again.""

- he added

Looking Ahead

The upcoming weeks will be crucial for Manchester City. They face a series of high-stakes fixtures against top-tier teams, including Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, and Manchester United. The team's response to these challenges will likely define their season and Guardiola's legacy at the Etihad Stadium.

While the current situation is concerning, it's worth remembering that Manchester City possesses immense quality and depth in their squad. With tactical adjustments, the return of key players from injury, and potentially strategic reinforcements in the January transfer window, City still has the potential to turn their season around and challenge for honours across all competitions.

As the football world watches with bated breath, the coming weeks will reveal whether Guardiola and his team can plug the holes in their once-impenetrable defence and reclaim their position at the summit of English and European football.