‘Pep Guardiola has done something for the first time ever at Man City – thank goodness’
Pep Guardiola is being forced into a change of tactics as Man City continue to struggle for consistency in the Premier League and Champions League.
Man City only just secured a narrow win over Leeds United on Saturday, 29 November, thanks to a buzzer-beating goal from Phil Foden following an impressive comeback from Daniel Farke‘s side.
However, heading into the weekend’s clash, the Guardiola’s side had lost back-to-back matches for the second time already this season, with Man City losing to Newcastle United and Bayer Leverkusen.
Despite this, City remain five points behind league leaders Arsenal, but they have dropped to ninth in the Champions League after winning three on their five matches so far.
What many football supporters have noticed, though, is a huge change in playing style, especially since the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma, and it has filled Richard Keys with joy.
Man City have been forced to go long under Pep Guardiola
Guardiola’s side have used a lot more long-throws in the Premier League this term, and that is not the only clear difference in their playing style, or at least Keys believes so, writing on his personal blog (1 December).
“Here’s a quote that will blow your mind: ‘Maybe we can learn to win these types of games, to bring the balls quicker to the box. These are not tactics, strategies; it’s just put the ball in there for the chaos, and you score,” he said.
“‘Pep Lijnders is now with me (as my assistant), and how many times did Liverpool [where Lijnders came from] win these games?’ No. Not Big Sam [Allardyce]. Nor Tony Pulis. Not even Sean Dyche, but Pep Guardiola. Amazing, eh?
“Something is changing at City, and for the first time in his coaching career, Guardiola is being led by football evolution. Thank goodness. I wondered when I saw the quote if he was being facetious, but then I remembered how City kicked off v Leeds.
“Did you see it? The ball was rolled back to Donnarumma, who planted it into opposition territory – just like every other team is doing now.”
Daniel Farke right to complain after Gianluigi Donnarumma’s ‘fake’ injury
Guardiola is never afraid of upsetting opposition managers, which was highlighted after Donnarumma was accused of feigning injury so that Man City could have a tactical discussion against Leeds.
The Whites were pushing for an equaliser, and given that they soon had that goal from Lukas Nmecha following up his missed penalty, City were looking extremely nervous at the Etihad.
Of course, one moment of brilliance meant that all three points remained in Manchester, and that is extremely important if the Citizens are to keep themselves in contention for the Premier League title.
A lot has been made about the team’s total reliance on Erling Haaland for goals as well. He already has 14 goals, with the next highest, Foden, with three.
It is clear that Guardiola is having to adapt his tactics, but if the Citizens are unable to find some real consistency, it might be a campaign without silverware.