Pep Guardiola has gotten better at relaxing during international breaks, even spending quality time with his family on holidays. However, his dedication to the game means he will still be analyzing game tapes this month.
Manchester City, currently one point behind the top spot, have found themselves trailing in four out of seven Premier League matches. Guardiola is determined to figure out why this trend is occurring, especially after conceding the first goal to Fulham on Saturday.
Marco Silva’s spirited team posed a threat to City, especially when they won corner kicks or when City made mistakes in possession in the final third. Adama Traore was particularly dangerous for Fulham, and they ended up with a higher expected goals tally than City at the end of the match.
Although City has conceded eight goals so far this season, which is more than teams like Newcastle and Nottingham Forest, Guardiola is not overly alarmed yet. However, he recognizes the need to improve defensively, as their high standards demand it. Guardiola is looking at the team’s structure and planning to make adjustments to shore up their defense in the coming weeks.
Pep Guardiola will definitely give in to the temptation of analyzing game tapes during the upcoming break.
In seven Premier League games this season, Manchester City has found themselves trailing in four of them. Guardiola, known for his cautious approach, often expresses his nerves on the touchline. His philosophy differs from traditional English football, focusing on possession to prevent opponents from gaining any advantage.
When Guardiola talks about the team’s structure, he is referring to how they handle possession and switch to defense. While injuries like Rodri’s cannot be solely blamed for their setbacks, improvements can be made in midfield. Questions arise about the lineup – Should Stones replace Dias? What about Akanji in right back? These decisions could impact players like Walker and Silva.
Despite extending their unbeaten home streak to 50 matches on Saturday, City’s success was largely due to Ederson’s impressive performance. Critics may doubt his shot-stopping abilities, but his saves against Traore proved his skill and supported claims of being the league’s best by Schmeichel.
The champions can credit Ederson for his crucial save against Adama Traore in a one-on-one situation. Guardiola had been concerned over the summer about the possibility of his main goalkeeper moving to Saudi Arabia due to interest from Cristiano Ronaldo’s team, Al Nassr. However, City quickly rejected the low bid made by Al Nassr. Guardiola emphasized that he never wanted Ederson to leave and that a player of his caliber, who has contributed to four Premier League titles, has a certain value that must be met for a transfer to happen. Perhaps if Al Nassr’s offer had been higher, Ederson might not be with City today.