Manchester Metropolis, the reigning Premier League champions, discover themselves on the point of disaster this season. The peculiar half is that it’s not simply because the gamers aren’t performing effectively, however as a result of two of Pep Guardiola’s largest strengths have change into his largest weaknesses.
The primary challenge lies in Manchester Metropolis’s squad depth, or lack thereof, within the defensive midfield place. Guardiola had the posh of Yaya Touré and Fernandinho at his disposal, which developed into Rodri and Fernandinho.
Nevertheless, since Fernandinho’s departure, the one devoted holding midfielder introduced in has been Kalvin Phillips, who has by no means been given an actual alternative. This has resulted in an over-reliance on Rodri, resulting in his present ACL damage that may sideline him for the season.
The second, and maybe extra essential, challenge is Guardiola’s tactical tinkering over the previous couple of seasons. In an try and counter groups defending narrowly and deep, Guardiola launched a midfield diamond system that was extremely efficient.
This technique allowed Metropolis to outnumber the opposition within the inventive zones, making it almost not possible for the opponents to press successfully.
Nevertheless, the success of this method was closely depending on Rodri’s distinctive skillset. Rodri’s physicality, positioning, and means to shortly transition possession into assault had been essential to the system’s effectiveness.
With Rodri out, the cracks within the system have change into gaping holes, as Kovačić, the substitute, lacks the identical stage of defensive consciousness and passing vary.
With out Rodri’s presence, Metropolis’s transition protection has change into susceptible, with opponents now capable of counter-attack by means of the midfield and expose the backline.
Guardiola’s try to handle this by pushing the fullbacks greater up the pitch has solely exacerbated the issue, leaving the pivot place much more remoted.
Moreover, the workforce’s wider attacking choices have additionally been a priority. The signing of Álvarez was meant to offer Metropolis with two real dribblers who might get the ball to Haaland persistently.
Nevertheless, the workforce’s new form has made them extra vulnerable to turnovers, and the absence of those dribbling threats has been felt.
Individually, the workforce’s prime scorers and assisters from final season have additionally seen a dip in kind, with solely Haaland sustaining his excessive requirements.
This excellent storm of tactical, squad, and particular person points has left Manchester Metropolis in a precarious place. Guardiola, recognized for his means to adapt and evolve, now faces his largest problem but. The query stays: can the grasp tactician discover a solution to flip issues round and reclaim Metropolis’s dominance?
