[ad_1]
A message for Sterling
When Pep Guardiola was asked why Raheem Sterling was only named to Manchester City’s bench at Tottenham, his first comment was that it was a tactical decision. The coach would continue to target Sterling’s form, after the Englishman had only trained one day, but as Guardiola also pointed out, this is one of the fittest players on City’s squad.
It is possible that a part of Guardiola wanted to try something different in their attack: Sterling has been good this season, but has not been able to provide a goal or assist in their last three league games and the fast-paced match schedule seemed to be taking a turn for the worse. even toll on a player with his stamina.
No doubt, fitness played a role in his exclusion from the starting lineup, but there may also have been some kind of management by the man to remind Sterling that no one is inescapable on this team.
New four, same problems
City named the same four defenders for the third straight game, giving Pep Guardiola a firm defense for the first time in at least two seasons. The Aymeric Laporte and Rodri partnership has given City some much-needed solidity at the rear, but early warnings from both players that they are not the finished item together were exposed early on as the defense split too easily to allow Heung-Min Son to run and give the Spurs the lead.
The players are now in place for Guardiola to have more faith in his defense, but the Spurs’ first game was a reminder that there is still work to be done on training ground to turn the back four into a proper unit. . The second goal, which again came through the middle, was another reminder.
More VAR frustration
Heung-min Son not only scored his usual goal against City, but he was also denied by a very, very tight call from VAR when Aymeric Laporte thought he had tied. City celebrated, but Mike Dean was advised by the VAR to watch the monitor, and discarded the goal for a one-handed Gabriel Jesus while controlling a cross before placing Laporte.
It was a minimal touch of Jesus’ arm, and it was certainly not intentional, if there was any touch, and City have a right to feel aggrieved that once again a good performance against Spurs was held back by a goal from Son and goal. disputed VAR call.
Mourinho Masterclass
As frustrating as City was in front of goal, this was an excellent tactical performance from the Spurs, and one that exposed all of City’s weaknesses. Mourinho knew City would have a hard time breaking down a packed defense, especially one that works as hard as he has made this Spurs team work. He also saw a gap in City’s defensive setup, scoring twice at halftime with single balls down the middle.
Harry Kane’s industrious performance made Aymeric Laporte look like half the player he usually is, and the hosts frustrated Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus from the moment Son gave them the lead. If we add to that the stroke of luck he had with the City VAR decision in the first half, it was a perfect afternoon for Mourinho.
Manchester City players resumed their Premier League campaign this weekend with a trip to London to play Tottenham Hotspur.
After Saturday’s game, the Blues are back in Champions League action as they travel to Greece to play Olympiacos on Wednesday night.
We will give you all the reaction and analysis of the Spurs game and the European tie, and you can receive it all every day.
You can get it all delivered directly to your inbox when you sign up for our daily newsletter; just submit your email address in the registration box above or click here; it’s free and only takes a few seconds
Implications of the title race
City fell eight points behind new Premier League leaders Spurs, albeit one game short, and could fall further behind top spot if Leicester beat Liverpool on Sunday. Guardiola highlighted the number of points left to play, 90, before this match started, but there is no doubt that City’s hopes of regaining the Premier League took a severe blow on Saturday night.
This is a season like no other, so a gap that last season would have been impregnable is still within our grasp this year. However, City cannot afford to lose many more points, especially against teams above them. Now it seems that a favorable streak before the New Year will imply the need to return maximum points in each game. City may have already spent their entire lives in the league this season if they want to be in the title race.
[ad_2]
