Man City’s Champions League Failures Down to Defence

Guardiola’s Champions League strategy raises many concerns. He has produced some of the greatest football ever played, yet his style often dilutes matters during knockout matches and the competition’s toughest stages. There are multiple reasons to be concerned about Guardiola’s approach to this competition.

Pep has never won a European trophy during his six seasons at City, and two of those seasons he lost the Champions League semi-finals. That lack of success on this stage remains an enormous blot on Pep’s CV.

He often adopts an ineffective defensive strategy when facing off against attack. While he has stated that he prefers to recycle possession until he has achieved balance that allows his attacking players to make quick movements and seize opportunities, this defensive philosophy hasn’t always been implemented by his side this season.

Guardiola’s side have conceded goals at a much higher rate than their opponents this season, with an average of two goals conceded per game during the group stage and last 16 matches; Pellegrini’s men, on the other hand, allowed just one goal per game during this same timeframe.

For Guardiola’s side to become a dominant Champions League force, they must stop conceding so many goals so quickly. They need to be more thrifty with a defense that can withstand pressure and keep denying chances without allowing an opponent to score.

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That means a defence that can effectively close down the half-spaces and stop opponents from exploiting space behind it, as Tottenham, Southampton, Aston Villa have done this season. Joao Cancelo’s tendency to drift infield from his natural position of right back can be detrimental for an opposition team; hence why Guardiola chose to switch Fernandinho for Rodri at the base of midfield this season.

Guardiola’s side have become much more vulnerable to the space created in wide areas when a team has a tucked-in winger. That explains why City have had such difficulty creating chances and why players like Harry Kane or Harry Winks have been so effective against them.

Guardiola has struggled with his rigid and static approach to defending, which has hindered the creativity of his front line. Players like Leroy Sane are unable to make sharp runs that would allow De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva space. This rigid approach has become a source of frustration for Guardiola in recent months.

This has meant they have struggled to find a finisher when they do manage an attack. If they want to avoid elimination in the knockout stages of Champions League, they need to address this issue.

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