The current Manchester City form is worrying for their supporters. The Cityzens have collected only three points from their last four matches, which puts them seven points behind Arsenal. It could turn out to be a decisive difference with 16 rounds of matches to go.
It is, therefore, necessary for Pep Guardiola to act quickly if he is to win his seventh Premier League title in nine seasons as the Manchester City manager. He will have to improve the Manchester City form to increase pressure on Arsenal, who have dropped four points in their last two matches.
Manchester City Form Can Probably Be Improved by Making Some Changes to Their Game
The Manchester City form suggests that they should alter their game somewhat. The 0-2 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford last weekend exposed their inability to break open a resolute defence and then the tendency to concede from counter-attacks.
It has been something Guardiola has been experiencing for long, going back to his days as the Barcelona manager, when Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan successfully implemented an ultra-defensive strategy against them. Most of the teams only start playing open football against Mamchester City when they are trailing.
The major difference between Guardiola’s Barcelona days and now is that at Barcelona, he did not have a typical No. 9 like Erling Haaland. Guardiola’s Barcelona played possession-based football, fiercely pressing to win the ball back almost anywhere on the pitch that they lost its possession. However, their striker was more mobile usually, falling back or swapping position with the wingers to make things difficult for the opposition defenders. That managed to create space at the edge of the box frequently, which allowed the forwards to take shots at goal. Barcelona’s 3-1 win over Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League final can be mentioned in this respect, when three diminutive players in Lionel Messi, Pedro and David Villa made life difficult for much taller United defenders with their mobility.
Haaland’s link-up play has really improved during the last couple of seasons, but he does not press aggressively in the final third. Neither does Jeremy Doku, for all his explosiveness with the ball at his feet. As a result, the defenders who sit deep against City know that if they are able to thwart a move by bottling up Haaland and win back possession, they will typically get a couple of minutes’ breather, as the City forwards will not press aggressively in the final third.
A intense pressing in the final third increases the possibility of winning the ball back. Additionally, it also exerts the opposition defenders physically. While playing with a low block, they do not have to run much and are fresh to throw challenges at the opposition forwards.
Hence, an intense press can actually shake them and affect their composure. The centre-forward, two wingers and two central midfielders should play a key role in this press to disrupt the organization and shape of opposition defenders. This is a change Guardiola can think of implementing to improve Manchester City form.
The likes of Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and Rayan Cherki will have to contribute more in terms of pressing inside the opposition half, especially in the final third. For all his brilliance as a footballer, Foden does not press much and the same can be said about Cherki, too.
The passing in the final third also needs to be more swift, as it takes time away from the defenders. The Cityzens can afford to build up slowly in the middle third, but playing passes quickly in and around the penalty box is necessary to breach a low block.
Manchester City Form Demonstrated Their Inability To Score Goals With a Direct Approach
As is the case with almost every team coached by Guardiola in the past, the Cityzens do not score too many goals from direct play, with full-backs putting in crosses from the flanks. They do not score many from set-plays like free-kicks and corner-kicks either.
Hence, the feasible way for them is to score through passing football and pressing only. They will have to take the opposition defenders out of their comfort zone. It is easier said than done, but the Cityzens will have to do it if they are to challenge Arsenal.
