In an unexpected turn of events, Manchester City could have benefited from using strategic tactics during the game last night. A bit of time-wasting and clock management would have been helpful as Watford threatened to extend the match to penalties at one point.
Back at the same venue again. Just 49 hours had passed since Manchester City celebrated their victory over Arsenal on this very field. It felt too soon to be back, but the demanding schedule left no other option.
Pep Guardiola chose to play the match here rather than moving it to Vicarage Road to maintain a competitive edge. The quick turnaround resulted in a challenging game, but it also provided valuable playing time for young talents like Phil Foden, as well as John Stones and Jack Grealish.
Guardiola jokingly asked, “Do we have another game tomorrow?” reflecting the hectic schedule. Despite the positives, the short gap between matches likely left the players feeling uneasy amidst their calls for more rest.
Manchester City secured their spot in the Carabao Cup after defeating Watford with a 2-1 victory.
After just five minutes, Jeremy Doku found the back of the net thanks to an error made by the visiting team’s defense.
Matheus Nunes extended the lead with a precise shot from 20 yards out after 38 minutes, making the game a bit less tense. Meanwhile, Rodri was staying in a hotel room in Barcelona, 1,100 miles away, after undergoing more tests on the serious knee injury he suffered. Surgery awaits him, and Guardiola acknowledged that he will be out for an extended period, although they are hoping for positive second opinions. City is bracing themselves for the possibility that their key player may be absent for the rest of the season.
Guardiola described Rodri as irreplaceable but expressed confidence in finding a solution to cope without him. Failing to play with the world’s best midfielder for an extended period will undoubtedly be a significant setback for the team. However, they will have to figure out how to manage without him against opponents who have had a slower start to the season in the Championship.
Nico O’Reilly may see an opportunity to claim Rodri’s position in the future, but for now, it may be too early for the young player to fully step in. Despite this, O’Reilly managed to steal the spotlight in his professional debut outside of the Community Shield, proving his potential as a rising star from City’s academy at just 16 years old.
Kaden Braithwaite, a relatively unknown name to most at the Etihad Stadium, unexpectedly had a chance to showcase his talent. Despite not being as familiar with Guardiola’s training methods compared to other players, Braithwaite showed versatility by switching between left-back and center-back positions based on possession. This challenging introduction may be all he has ever known since joining the club at a young age, following in the footsteps of veteran Rico Lewis on the opposite flank.
The Portuguese player scored his first goal for City after a series of 34 games since joining the team from Wolves in a £53 million transfer.
Nico O’Reilly is eyeing the No 6 position as a potential long-term spot for himself in the future, although he feels it may be too early for that at the moment. Braithwaite let out a sigh of relief when Kwadwo Baah, a former Rochdale forward, pushed him off the ball in a manner that was considered overly aggressive right before scoring past Stefan Ortega. This was a close call and a reminder of the increased physicality at this level. Cleverley believes it was a fair goal, noting that it was a fair challenge despite looking aggressive. It was disappointing to have it disallowed. James McAtee, another product of the academy, played a key role in City’s first goal by putting pressure on the Watford defense, leading to Jeremy Doku’s strike. He also played a part in the second goal by keeping the play alive and assisting Matheus Nunes, who scored his first goal for the club shortly before halftime. The Hornets, led by Cleverley, showed a mix of young talent and experience, posing a threat on the counter-attack. Vakoun Bayo had a close header miss, and Baah’s goal was disallowed, but City’s fringe players were able to hold on for the win. Even after Ince scored a beautiful curling shot into Ortega’s goal in the final minutes.
In the dying minutes of the game, Tom Ince created tension by scoring a beautiful curler into Ortega’s far corner.
Reflecting on his coaching journey, Cleverley mentioned how just a year ago he was managing the Under 18s, and expressed his admiration for Pep Guardiola’s influence on English football.
Erling Haaland will be back in action for Manchester City’s match against Newcastle United, as he was granted compassionate leave to attend his friend’s funeral in Norway.
Foden effectively played the false nine role in Haaland’s absence, forming a good partnership with McAtee. Guardiola may have to rely on old strategies in the future, as Haaland cannot play every game. In today’s fast-paced football world, it’s becoming increasingly rare for players to start every match due to the risk of injuries.