Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has voiced concerns over a significant shift in how teams approach matches against his side, emphasizing that opponents are no longer intimidated as they once were.
As City prepare to face Chelsea at the Etihad on Saturday, Guardiola warned that failure to adapt could cost his team a Champions League spot.
A Changing Dynamic at the Etihad
In his assessment of City’s recent struggles, Guardiola noted:
- Pressing City More Aggressively: Opponents are now pressing higher up the pitch, a stark contrast to previous seasons when teams often sat back defensively.
- A Shift in Fear Factor: “Everyone comes here, man to man,” Guardiola said, recalling how teams used to park the bus at the Etihad.
- Adapting to Change: Guardiola highlighted the need for his players to handle the ball better under pressure.
“If you have the ball and don’t pass properly to your mate, everything is so difficult,” Guardiola admitted, emphasizing that City’s ball retention has been a major issue this season.
Struggles Across Competitions
- Premier League Position: City are currently fifth, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool.
- Champions League Hurdle: A critical game against Club Brugge looms on Wednesday, with City needing a win to secure a Champions League play-off spot.
- Recent Form: City won only one of their final 13 games in 2024, highlighting a need for significant improvement.
New Signings Won’t Be Enough
City have bolstered their squad with £123m-worth of new talent, including Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov, but Guardiola cautioned that new players alone cannot solve the club’s problems.
Instead, the manager identified deeper issues:
- Injuries: With Ballon d’Or winner Rodri sidelined and limited fit central defenders, City’s squad depth is being tested.
- Performance Metrics: Guardiola dismissed running statistics, stating, “Speed is important, but our problem is with the ball.”
Perspective on Success
Guardiola compared City’s current struggles to Jose Mourinho’s famed comments about finishing second with Manchester United in 2017-18.
“There are seasons when there are a lot of difficulties. How do you stand up? How do you stay there?” Guardiola said, acknowledging that qualifying for next season’s Champions League would feel like a trophy given the challenges his team has faced.
Can Guardiola turn Manchester City’s season around? Stay updated on their fight for Champions League qualification.
