LONDON (AFP) - English champions Manchester City slumped to a third shock defeat in four Premier League games at Leicester on Boxing Day to slip to third in the table and seven points adrift of unbeaten leaders Liverpool.
Just a few weeks ago they seemed unstoppable as they started their title defence with a 15-game unbeaten run.
However, a 2-0 reverse at Chelsea has sparked a run of three defeats in 18 days as Crystal Palace and Leicester both came from behind to hand Liverpool a huge advantage in the title race ahead of their trip to face City on Jan 3.
Here, AFP Sports looks at what has caused City's sudden collapse:
1. Fernandinho irreplaceable
City coped admirably in Kevin de Bruyne's absence for most of the campaign through injury thanks to an array of creative midfielders, but have badly missed Fernandinho's ability to play the more destructive role in midfield in the last two games.
The 33-year-old Brazilian had started every league game until Palace's visit on Saturday and is the one player in City's squad without a natural replacement.
Centre-back John Stones deputised at the weekend, while the more attack-minded Ilkay Gundogan was deployed at the base of the midfield in Leicester.
"We have to try and find solutions. Ferna was not able to play because he's injured. We have to overcome this problem," said coach Pep Guardiola, who tried to sign Chelsea midfielder Jorginho from Napoli in the summer as cover for Fernandinho.
"You have to think about how to solve it when you don't have players in a position."
2. Four competitions take their toll
Even for a squad as deep as City's, English football's unique combination of a packed festive period and an extra Cup competition can stretch resources.
Just eight days ago a strong City side beat a much-changed Leicester to reach the League Cup semi-finals and stay alive in four competitions.
Leicester boss Claude Puel claimed victory on Wednesday was vindication for his criticised team selection in the Cup tie with the Foxes fresh to spring surprises over both Chelsea and City in the past five days.
As well as de Bruyne, Sergio Aguero didn't start against Chelsea or Palace due to injury, while David Silva has also been sidelined by injury in recent weeks.
3. Missing Mendy
Left-back has also been a problem position, even as City enjoyed great success last season, due to Benjamin Mendy's knee troubles.
The Frenchman's return to fitness and form in the early weeks of the season promised to give City an extra dimension to their attacking play, but he has been sidelined again since early November.
Fabian Delph, a central midfielder by trade, has filled in at left-back, but is now facing a three-match ban, including the Liverpool game, after being sent off late on at Leicester.
4. Defending the Premier League difficult
Guardiola won three consecutive league titles at both Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but retaining the title in England has proved impossible for any team in the past decade.
A Manchester United side containing Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were the last to do it in 2008-09.
City's record haul of 100 points last season led many to believe they would buck that trend, but it is proving tougher than expected.
"Last season, everyone said it was so easy, but I know how difficult it was," insisted Guardiola.
"Last season we were so consistent and made a lot of points. They (Liverpool and Spurs) are both so consistent."
5. Can City chase?
The question remains whether a Guardiola side is capable of chasing down a title rival to win the league in the manner Alex Ferguson's Manchester United made routine in the 1990s.
In most of Guardiola's seven title triumphs, his Barca, Bayern and City sides have been well in front by this stage of the season.
Now they have to play catch-up and their lack of reaction to going behind to Chelsea, Palace and Leicester leaves City's mentality open to question.
"We have to find an explanation," said Bernardo Silva. "It's mathematically possible, but we have to be almost perfect from now."
'We can score at Barca' LONDON • Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knows all about improbable Champions League comebacks. It was 20 years ago in Barcelona, where he scored the late winner against Bayern Munich after Teddy Sheringham had equalised just moments before, to give Manchester United a second European Cup.
Man Utd 0-1 Barcelona: Paul Pogba says the comeback against
Sport24 - Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said Friday that he was "honoured" to be courted by Colombia, who want the former Real Madrid boss to join them after the Asian Cup. But the Portuguese, who has been Iran coach for eight rollercoaster years, insisted that he remains committed to bringing
Iran coach Queiroz set for Colombia switch after Asian Cup
#Football #Sport #BreakingNews #News24 News24 - Barcelona boss gives Antoine Griezmann transfer update as
Antoine Griezmann admits move from Atletico Madrid is edging
worldsportstale.com/soccer/antoine-griezmann-admits-move-from-atletico-madrid-is-edging-closer/
The France World Cup winner will call time on his five-year stay at Atletico Madrid after revealing last month that he will leave the Wanda Metropolitano this summer. It had been heavily mooted that Griezmann would end up at La Liga rivals Barcelona, who nearly signed the 28-year-old last summer, and it seems a deal is edging closer.
Rangers crashed out of the Europa League on Thursday after falling 1-0 at Rapid Vienna, while crowd trouble sparked by Eintracht Frankfurt fans marred the German side's win at Lazio.
Europa League: Rangers crash out, Eintracht fans run riot at
SINGAPORE — Singapore's national striker Ikhsan Fandi scored his first competitive goal for his Norwegian club Raufoss IL on Sunday (12 May), and it proved to be a spectacular winner for his side. The 20-year-old was jostling in a crowded penalty area with one minute left in regulation time
WATCH: Singapore youngster Ikhsan Fandi scores his first
An early goal from Mohamed Salah and a late one from Divock Origi gave Liverpool a 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in Saturday's all-English Champions League final as coach Juergen Klopp finally got his hands on Europe's biggest prize.
Salah, Origi strike to give Liverpool Champions League triumph
Neymar banned for three Champions League matches over ref rant. Neymar was found guilty of "insulting/molesting acts against match official", European football´s governing body announced in a
Neymar banned for three Champions League matches over ref
Author Soccernoob Posted on February 15, 2019 February 15, 2019 Categories 2018-19 Isle of Sodor FA news Tags AS Roma, FA, J&S, Junction & Sheds, Knapford Town, Roma, Serie A, Zaniolo Leave a comment on Knapford Town FC's teen midfielder discovers grandma might as well be on Craigslist
Chiesa Di Totti Archives - Roma Youth & Reserves - Page 1
As Jose Mourinho is sacked by Manchester United, we recall the highs and lows of his Old Trafford tenure. Mourinho leaves United after two and a half years in charge, his departure confirmed in the wake of Sunday's 3-1 defeat by Liverpool. His reign included trophy successes in the EFL Cup and
Jose Mourinho sacked: His Manchester United highs and lows
brandsauthority.com/jose-mourinho-sacked-his-manchester-united-highs-and-lows-football-news/
Jose Mourinho has been sacked by Manchester United As Jose Mourinho is sacked by Manchester United, we recall the highs and lows of his Old Trafford tenure. Mourinho leaves United after two and a half years in charge, his departure confirmed in the wake of Sunday's 3-1 defeat by Liverpool.His reign included trophy successes in…
Mourinho's highs and lows at Manchester United
India skipper Virat Kohli congratulates his opposite number Tim Paine after Australia won the second Test match between Australia and India in Perth. the victory, saying: "This was the best
India vs Australia: Tim Paine's 'new Aussie team' proves
Mauricio Pochettino praised his Tottenham players after an "important" 3-0 win at Cardiff banished the memories of Saturday's shock home defeat to Wolves. Spurs moved back into second place and
Kane and Lloris rescue point for Spurs against Arsenal | Free
Quagliarella is the top scorer in Serie A this season, having netted 21 goals. 36 & 54 - Fabio #Quagliarella (36 years and 54 days) is the oldest goalscorer in the history of Italian National team.
Quagliarella becomes oldest Italy scorer in 6-0 Liechtenstein
Give Sarri more time and players: Hasselbaink Maurizio Sarri should be given more time as Chelsea manager, but the club's success next season will also depend greatly on whether they can get their transfer ban lifted.
Maurizio Sarri needs time and trust at Chelsea, according to
Fred has warned his Manchester United team-mates they must beat Tottenham Hotspur on Monday if they are to keep pace with their Premier League rivals. United crashed to a 3-2 defeat at Brighton
0 comments:
Post a Comment