First being kicked out of the Carabao Cup, and now a defeat against AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League. Are Manchester City faltering for the first time under Pep Guardiola? They might just be. But it’s not much to do with their tactics or their manager, but rather to do with a few other quite interesting factors.
Manchester City Are Over-Reliant On Rodri & De Bruyne
Last year, Manchester City had one or two rough patches during the season as well. It can be concluded through critical observation that Manchester City’s rough patches are often in correlation with the absence of two key players in Particular. No, it’s not Erling Haaland who has been scoring a shitload of goals for them. But it’s the two midfield maestros Rodri and Kevin de Bruyne. The latter was injured for a major part of last season and was the reason behind City’s somewhat rugged first half of the season. Meanwhile, Rodri stepped up in his absence and was so monumental for the Blue Team of Manchester, that he ended up winning the Ballon d’Or in 2024.
For the last two games, the one against Tottenham and then against Bournemouth, neither midfielder was available for Manchester City. The result? Two back-to-back losses. Seldom has it happened in the Pep Era that Man City have been so out of sync and form. While De Bruyne is returning to full fitness and may well be available for City’s UCL clash in midweek, the same can’t be said for Rodri.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner had an ACL injury in the clash against Arsenal in September and will be out for the whole season. This will be a very big miss for City and could end up deciding how their season goes. A CDM with the calibre of Rodri won’t be available in the market in January and it seems like Pep would have to do without his Mr. Consistent.
Does Manchester City Lack The Willpower To Be In A Title Race?
Over the course of the last 7 seasons under Pep Guardiola, Manchester City have clinched the Premier League title 6 times. Liverpool was the only team who beat them in the 2019/20 season. Could it be that Pep Guardiola and co. are suffering from their own success? Is it that the fatigue of being in a title race time and time again catching up? If not then why does it feel like Manchester City has been so uninspiring on the pitch?
English Teams Finally Figuring Out Pep Guardiola?
AFC Bournemouth sat back in their own half defending deep and sprung on counterattacks. That’s how most teams including the likes of Madrid who defeat City go about their business. That strategy seems to be finally reaping the rewards.
Do you feel that the media attention over the 115 Charges and the ongoing court case has played a part in City’s form this season? Can Manchester City win their 5th Premier League in a row? Let us know in the comments section.
