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."
PARIS, June 7 (Reuters) - France got off to a perfect start in the women's World Cup as the hosts beat South Korea 4-0 in the opening game at the Parc des Princes on Friday.
France make light work of South Korea in World Cup opener
Enrique praises Ramos as 'unique' player's penalty secures win for Spain Ramos scored the winning penalty after Josh King had cancelled out Rodrigo's opener.
Feb 23, 2019 · Mauricio Pochettino somewhat lost the plot at the final whistle on Saturday, as Tottenham Hotspur lost 2-1 at Burnley in controversial fashion. Tottenham's manager confronted referee Mike Dean
How have Unai Emery and Maurizio Sarri fared in English
Jurgen Klopp will write himself into Liverpool folklore if he can guide the Reds to their first Klopp's Reds have suffered defeat in the but he is dealing with it well and is in control of
The Jurgen Klopp message that provided Liverpool with
Lionel Messi wants Ernesto Valverde to continue as Barcelona coach but admits the team has not recovered from their Champions League loss to Liverpool as they face Valencia in the Copa del Rey final.
Football: Lionel Messi backs coach Ernesto Valverde but
Jan 01, 2019 · Mauricio Pochettino: Tottenham's win at Cardiff gives us title belief This article is more than 3 months old • 'A massive three points to make us believe that little more'
Tottenham Hotspur news: Mauricio Pochettino hails 'massive
THE NANYANG. CHRONICLE. VOL. NO. 24. 03 16.10.17. ISSN NO. 0218-7310. Taking IKEA by Strรถm. Students play to their beat. In defense of millennials. Students from the School of Art, Design and
Mitra - Find link - edwardbetts.com
edwardbetts.com/find_link/Mitra
Sombhu Mitra (989 words) exact match in snippet view article find links to article Sombhu Mitra (22 August 1915 - 19 May 1997) was an Indian film and stage actor, director, playwright, reciter and an Indian theatre personality, known
Malaysia | Thoughts of a Cynical Investor | Page 2
Watford's Gray strikes to sink Everton, pile pressure on Silva Soccer Football - Premier League - Watford v Everton - Vicarage Road, Watford, Britain - February 9, 2019 Everton's Kurt Zouma reacts
Watford's Andre Gray strikes to sink Everton, pile pressure
For those who have questioned whether the magic of the FA Cup is alive and well, this year's Cup has been proof that there's still a bit of sparkle left in the competition. Rarely do non-league sides make such long runs in the FA Cup, but this year served up Sutton United's run to the Fifth
Magic of the FA Cup is alive and well, says Parkinson | The
NextCar offers car rental and vehicle leasing services from locations accross the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC region. Reserve your vehicle today.
Next Arrivals | WMATA
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 18, 2019, with the headline 'Stags coach Kadir urges better focus after last-gasp goals'. Print Edition
Stags coach Kadir urges higher focus after last-gasp
Football: Bayern have not yet tabled bid for Man City's Leroy Sane, says CEO Rummenigge Bayern have repeatedly said that they would like to draw Manchester City winger Leroy Sane to Munich. PHOTO
Football: Bayern have not yet tabled bid for Man City's Leroy
sportstons.com/soccer/football-bayern-have-not-yet-tabled-bid-for-man-citys-leroy-sane-says-ceo-rummenigge/
Football: Bayern have not yet tabled bid for Man City's Leroy Sane, says CEO Rummenigge BERLIN (REUTERS) - German football champions Bayern Munich have not yet made an offer for Manchester City winger Leroy Sane despite their longstanding desire to sign him, club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said on Wednesday (June 5).
Bayern have not yet tabled bid for Man City's Sane
[BEIJING] Zhou Xiaochuan, China's longest-serving central bank governor, is tipped to become the new vice-chairman of the Boao Forum - known as Asia's Davos - after he retires next month, sources said. Mr Zhou, 70, will replace Zeng Peiyan, 79, in the post after Mr Zhou steps down as governor of the People's Bank
FAS Programmes TV, Calendrier, Résultats, Actualités, Équipe
Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud said he has been approached by other clubs to play for them next season but wants to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge if manager Maurizio Sarri can offer regular
Giroud demands important role at Chelsea FC next season
Italian Side Inter Milan have completed a deal that will see Antonio Conte becomes their new manager, according to Fabrizio Romano.The former Chelsea boss has reportedly signed a three-year contract that will see him earn €12 million per season.
How Antonio Conte could affect Chelsea and - football.london
0 comments:
Post a Comment