MANCHESTER, England (REUTERS) - Manchester City's surprise run of three defeats in four games, the latest in Wednesday's (Dec 26) 2-1 defeat at Leicester City, has been widely attributed to one simple cause - the absence of defensive midfielder Fernandinho.
Yet, while the Brazilian's injury has clearly dented their Premier League title defence, given the absence of any effective replacement to shield their defence, City's woes run deeper than the loss of just one individual, however influential.
The defeats at Chelsea and Leicester and at home to Crystal Palace, with only a home win against Everton limiting the damage, have seen Pep Guardiola's champions fall from being clear favourites and leaders to third place.
They are now a point behind Spurs and seven behind top side Liverpool, who visit the Etihad on Jan 3.
Last season's record-breaking title win was built on remarkable consistency, in results of course but also in terms of the starting line-up and approach.
Yet while the inevitable injuries picked up through a season did little to knock City off course last term, this season Guardiola has had to deal with not just the recent loss of Fernandinho but also of several key players at the same time.
David Silva missed City's last five games before returning at Leicester and his importance to the team's trademark style was certainly highlighted in the recent losses.
For what Fernandinho provides in solidity, defensive protection and the ability to stop counter-attacks and opposition momentum, Silva matches as the essential link in the short, quick passing game which makes City so hard to defend against.
Silva not only provides goals and assists, but brings out the best in those around him, particularly wide players Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling, who have both been out of sorts in recent performances.
Sane and Sterling know that when Silva has the ball, the Spaniard, with his supreme reading of angles and timing, will find them if they make a move.
Without Silva, they have too often received the ball when stationary, allowing defenders time to set up and nullify them instead of finding themselves on the back foot being attacked with momentum and impetus.
Kevin De Bruyne is another to have only recently returned from long-term injury and, while City initially coped with the absence of the Belgian central midfielder, they have missed his ability to swiftly turn defence into attack with a surging run or sweeping pass.
Much of the focus on City's improvement last season was placed on the full back positions but with Benjamin Mendy injured, Fabian Delph has, of late, rarely looked much more than an adequate replacement.
Worse, England defender Kyle Walker's form has been shaky and he paid the price for a poor performance in the 3-2 home defeat to Palace by losing his place at Leicester with Danilo preferred at right-back.
The defence is no longer as solid, the midfield has missed key elements and the forward line is not operating anywhere near full effectiveness.
"What we have to do is try and change the dynamic to winning games. We are able to do that but I have to reflect myself, think about what the team needs and try to help them," said Guardiola.
"That is what will concern me for the next few days. Good results are miracles for the mind and I have to help the players come back, change something and try to win again."
A trip to Southampton is next on Sunday and, with Spurs and Liverpool in full flow, City can ill-afford another stumble if they are to avoid a poor December becoming an irretrievable slump.
Two goals from Marko Arnautovic and Ryan Fredericks's first Premier League strike helped West Ham beat Southampton 3-0 at London Stadium on Saturday to complete their first league double over the Saints since 2001.
EPL: Arnautovic ends drought as West Ham sink Southampton
— Harry Kane (@HKane) March 2, 2019. Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, celebrating his 47th birthday, had never lost a home league clash against Arsenal, but his side were always playing catch-up after Juventus-bound Ramsey, playing for the last time in the fixture, calmly put his side ahead in the 16th minute.
Premier League: Harry Kane and Hugo Lloris rescue point for
Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has said his team must win their seven remaining Premier League games, to pip Liverpool to the title. City have the slight advantage in the title race, sitting top by a point after the 2-0 win at Fulham, having played the same number of games as Liverpool.
Pep Guardiola reveals what his Man City side MUST do to beat
Worries that a Barcelona stroll to the title will be boring to watch are not on Ernesto Valverde's mind after his team's latest big win en route to reclaiming their LaLiga crown. ( marca.com ) submitted 1 year ago by scadonl
Messi Secures Barcelona 26th LaLiga Title For His Personal 10th
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said Manchester United's home ground Old Trafford is no longer the fortress it used to be as City look to win all three points and take the lead in the Premier
Old Trafford is no longer the fortress it used to be, says
"We have to be convinced that we can do it. If there is a team that can score four goals, I think it is Barcelona but with our philosophy of how to play and controlling the game."
Dalot: Man Utd know we can score in Barcelona - Tribal Football
Mourinho humiliated by fall at Russian hockey league face-off
ROME: Bologna coach Sinisa Mihajlovic hailed his team for pulling off a "miracle" to secure their top flight survival with a 3-3 draw at Lazio on Monday enough to keep the northerners in Serie A
Bologna earn 'miracle' Serie A survival in six-goal Lazio
Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool players needed hammer to 'punch the smile' off their faces after Barcelona win Written by: fpnews Posted on: May 10, 2019 Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has called on his team to focus on the "big moment" of playing for the Premier League title on Sunday and put aside the success of reaching the Champions
Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool players needed hammer to 'punch
Villans ascend into EPL heaven LONDON • Aston Villa are back in the big time, £170 million (S$296.8 million) richer and free from the demons that have tormented them since they lost in the play-off final 12 months ago.
Villans ascend into EPL heaven - Virginia Bus
virginiabus.info/sports/villans-ascend-into-epl-heaven/
LONDON • Aston Villa are back in the big time, £170 million (S$296.8 million) richer and free from the demons that have tormented them since they lost in the play-off final 12 months ago. After three roller-coaster years in the Championship, the Villans returned to the Premier League after beating Derby 2-1 yesterday and how […]
Ascend - News Search - AIOIS - All-in-one Internet Search
The 2019 Women's World Cup kicked off Friday with France beating South Korea 4-0. France came into the tournament as one of the heavy favorites to win the championship --and for good reason. The
Rampant France thrash Korea in World Cup opener - oann.com
Pogba strikes twice as Man United win on Solskjaer home bow Wednesday December 26 2018 Manchester Unuted's Paul Pogba celebrates a goal against Huddersfield on December 26, 2018 at Old Trafford.
Pogba strikes twice as Man Utd win on Solskjaer home debut
0 comments:
Post a Comment