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.
Porto converted a penalty awarded following a VAR review three minutes from the end of extra time to beat AS Roma 3-1 and reach the Champions League quarter-finals after an epic finale on Wednesday.
Porto go through with extra time VAR penalty | Reuters.com
Football: Qatar players cleared in eligibility row just before Asian Cup final against four-time champs Japan ABU DHABI (AFP) - Asia's football body dismissed a protest claiming that two Qatari players, including Asian Cup top scorer Almoez Ali, were ineligible to play just hours before the final on Friday (Feb 1).
Latest ASIAN CUP | The Straits Times
Gonzalo Higuain flops on PL debut as Chelsea fans boo Sarri on miserable night Wednesday on his debut last Sunday and again was quiet in the first half of his Premier League bow at Bournemouth
Maurizio Sarri - Khelpanda
Cesc Fabregas has joined Monaco from Chelsea in a deal which runs until June 2022. Cesc Fabregas completes Monaco move from Chelsea " He leaves with the very best wishes of everybody at
Fabregas Completes Move from Chelsea to Monaco, Reunites With
Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed a 90th-minute penalty as a scrappy north-London derby against Tottenham Hotspur ended in a 1-1 draw on Saturday. Hugo Lloris got down low to keep out
Kane and Lloris rescue point for Spurs against Arsenal
Solskjaer to begin much-needed rebuilding job at United. "and the next few years are going to be massive for us to get to the level where Barcelona and other teams are at the moment."
Lukaku agent supports Man United's huge transfer plans
Chelsea face the partial closure of Stamford Bridge in the Europa League after Uefa opened disciplinary proceedings over allegations that their travelling supporters engaged in racist chanting during the draw at Vidi last month.
Chelsea face partial stadium closure over alleged racist
A cautious Unai Emery refused to get carried away despite Paris Saint-Germain's stunning 4-0 win over Barcelona in the Champions League. The French champions hammered Barca in the last-16 first
Ex-FAS gen sec Lee withdraws from AFC exco contest. Apr 7, 2019, 5:00 am. Football: Ex-FAS general secretary Winston Lee withdraws candidacy for AFC exco seat. Apr 6, 2019, 1:11 pm.
Tottenham information dwell: Spurs' record-setting earnings
Lions hungry for post-raya victory. straitstimes.com. June 07, 2019 5:00 AM Singapore Under-22 striker Ikhsan Fandi is jet-lagged, having arrived from Norway on Tuesday and spending the following day …
Lions hungry to keep winning after earning rare victory | FOX
The Straits Times - Get latest breaking news, business, sports, lifestyle, tech & multimedia and more news in Singapore, Asia & rest of the world at straitstimes.com.
News - Giallorossi Yorkshire
TA' QALI: Alvaro Morata's remarkable revival continued on Tuesday as he scored twice for Spain in a 2-0 victory over Malta. After edging past Norway 2-1 on Saturday, Morata's double at the Ta'Qali
Morata double gives Spain win over defensive Malta | Free
soccer tv live net stream
watch champions league final online free live streaming
watch live premier league football streaming online for free
watch soccer live live football streaming cr7
watch champions league live streaming espn
watch champions league live streaming eng
watch coppa america live streaming usa
watch premier league live streaming qatar
watch premier league net live stream channel
watch coppa america live streaming hotstar
watch premier league live streaming xbox one
watch soccer game live espn
watch soccer live streaming kenya
watch coppa america live streaming portugal
watch champions league live streaming bein sport
watch coppa america live streaming total sportek
watch soccer live streaming xbox one
watch live soccer game today
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online youtube
watch coppa america live streaming ufc
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming bt sport
watch premier league darts live stream
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online reddit
watch real madrid vs juventus live streaming of champions league
watch premier league live streaming jamaica
watch premier league live in stream
watch barclays premier league online live streaming
soccer tv live football streaming portugal
watch soccer live streaming kenya vs ethiopia
watch soccer online free streaming live south africa
khan tv pw watch indian premier league 2018 live streaming
where to watch free live soccer streaming online
watch barclays premier league live streaming online free
watch soccer online free streaming live uk
watch champions league soccer live streaming
watch champions league live streaming mobile
watch soccer saturday live stream
watch coppa america live streaming nz
watch soccer live stream links
watch champions league live streaming canada
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming free
watch champions league live streaming live free
watch coppa america live streaming mobile
watch coppa america live streaming twitch
watch champions league live streaming manchester united
watch premier league live streaming vf
watch coppa america live streaming indonesia
watch uefa champions league final live streaming free online
watch soccer online free streaming live youtube
watch soccer online free streaming live batman
watch soccer online free streaming live reddit
watch soccer online free streaming live in english
watch premier league live streaming live free
watch soccer live stream app
watch premier league live streaming youtube
watch premier league live streaming vk
watch coppa america live streaming mexico
watch champions league live streaming jamaica
watch arsenal southampton premier league live stream
watch premier league matches live streaming
watch soccer online free streaming live canada
watch premier league live streaming juventus vs manchester united
watch live soccer online free streaming now
watch coppa america live streaming live
tv soccer live stream sky
free watch soccer live streaming
watch soccer live streaming reddit
watch coppa america live streaming gratis
watch coppa america live streaming app
watch soccer aid live stream
watch soccer live streaming zee tv
watch premier league live streaming online
watch champions league live streaming vk
watch premier league live streaming zimbabwe
watch soccer online free streaming live
watch premier league stream reddit
how to watch champions league live streaming
#bayern #fcbarcelona #rugby #bundesliga #Celtic #oasisengland #copaamerica #golf #lovefootball #gym #oasis #freekickerz #433skills #henderson #paulmcartney #serieatim #mancity #manunited #lionelmessi #klopp #romania #manchesterunited #freekicks #arsenalnews #cristiano #BMW #visubal #elcasico #liverpoolfc #premierleague #girlsniteout #oasisofficial #goodday #beatifulgame #acmilan #premierleague #messi #midnight #firmino #goal #livesports #freekick #kroenkeout #ignoranza #frasirap #leomessi #england #mane #barcelona #fut #championship #portsmouthfc #nutmeg #Sunday #americanfootball #chocolatecoffee #liverpoolcity #calciatoribrutti #hoffenhiem #Vip45 #MSport #realmadridcf #mensnightout #soccerbible #vandijk #knuckleball #league2 #nikesoccer #sixtimes #Liverpool #afcnews #league1 #soccer #manchestercity
No comments:
Post a Comment