Pep is facing the toughest campaign of his career
SUNDAY’S remarkable 5-2 defeat for Manchester City against Leicester confirmed one suspicion in mind. I think we are looking at the toughest season of Pep Guardiola’s coaching career. Let’s be clear, he set the standard so high in England. He made Liverpool think that if they were ever going to come out on top, then they had to create something extraordinary. The problem for City is that Jurgen Klopp did exactly that. City are playing catch-up now. And some signs of strain are showing. The criticism of Leicester’s tactics from Guardiola and
City midfielder Rodri sounded like a very bad excuse. I think it more reflects the frustration within their own dressing room. The challenge they face is not just about dealing with teams who set up to counter-attack them. For all of the immense amount of money spent on talent within their squad, you could argue elements of it need to be rebuilt. When City lost Vincent Kompany, they lost a great leader and a great defender. They haven’t found a successor. They have tried with John Stones,
Nicolas Otamendi and others. Even with Fernandinho playing in central defence. Now they are spending a lot to bring Ruben Dias from Benfica in the hope he provides the answer. Time will tell. Fernandinho is 35 and can’t run as much as he used to. He has been an immense player for City. Further forward, Sergio Aguero is out injured but he is also 32 now. David Silva has gone. It’s almost like a good chunk of the backbone of this team either needs replaced or will do soon. That makes it a very delicate moment for City and Guardiola.
It’s different to what he experienced at Barcelona or Bayern Munich. If anything, the Champions League has drifted further away from City in recent seasons rather than getting closer. There are times on that stage when Guardiola almost seems to over-think things. Domestically, the challenge is just as big. Liverpool seem as strong as ever. They have also made a fantastic signing in Thiago Alcantara. Can City really pull back the 18-point gap from last season? Liverpool are definitely still the team to beat.