The past two matches for Manchester City have been disappointing, to say the least. Pep Guardiola’s side were played off the pitch by Manchester United in their 2-0 derby defeat at Old Trafford. The...
The past two matches for Manchester City have been disappointing, to say the least. Pep Guardiola’s side were played off the pitch by Manchester United in their 2-0 derby defeat at Old Trafford. They followed that poor performance with a limp display as they went down to shock 3-1 defeat to Bodø/Glimt at the Aspmyra Stadion. During Manchester City’s defeat in Norway, a host of factors stood out that contributed to City’s poor performance. The first was how well organized Bodø/Glimt were and how well they played. What else stood out was a lack of leadership among Pep Guardiola’s side on the pitch. City were at times rudderless, and that cannot continue.
The leaders on the pitch for Manchester City were poor against Bodø/Glimt.
Two of the four players in Manchester City’s leadership group were unavailable for Manchester City’s loss to Bodø/Glimt. Rúben Dias is currently injured, and Bernardo Silva was suspended for the match. Rodri and Erling Haaland played at the Aspmyra Stadion. Neither player rose to the occasion, which cost Pep Guardiola’s side.
Erling Haaland was a frustrated figure against Bodø/Glimt. He couldn’t get into the game and his performance was below his high standards and was not up to the standard that a leader should set. Haaland is fatigued, but he has to be better. There is no doubt about that.
Rodri played like a player who is currently battling his body to get back to his best. His positioning in midfield was out of whack, and his work in possession was sloppy. He was sent off in the 62nd minute after picking up two yellow cards in 53 seconds against Bodø/Glimt. Frustration seemed to boil over for Rodri, which saw him get himself sent off.
Manchester City cannot have one of their leaders doing that. It hurts Pep Guardiola’s side, and now Rodri will be missing for Manchester City’s penultimate Champions League fixture against Galatasaray. Rodri is bidding to return to his Ballon d’Or-winning best. That was to be expected after his lengthy injury layoff. But City needs him to keep his head to set an example for his teammates to follow.
Having no Bernardo Silva and Rúben Dias cost Manchester City dearly in Norway. Both players are vital to this City side. They set the tone for their teammates to follow. Without them, City were rudderless, and with Haaland and Rodri struggling, there was no one else to pick up their teammates against Bodø/Glimt. That stood out like a sore thumb in Norway.
Everything in terms of leadership cannot rest solely on Bernardo Silva and Ruben Dias.
Bernardo Silva is a crucial player for Pep Guardiola’s side. There is a reason that Pep Guardiola picks Bernardo as often as he does. The Manchester City captain knows the nuances of City’s play like the back of his hand. He knows when a change in tactics, in or out of possession, is required. Bernardo Silva is the conduit between Pep Guardiola and his new-look team. Without him against Bodø/Glimt, City looked devoid of leadership. Having said that, Bernardo Silva was well below his best against Manchester United, and his team suffered. That fact shows how vital his leadership is. It isn’t a stretch to say that City are perhaps too reliant on the leadership that Bernardo Silva provides.
Ruben Dias is a crucial component of Manchester City’s play. He is City’s defensive leader and has been ever since he arrived at the club. Dias has high standards and demands that his teammates follow his lead. Without him at the back, City lack leadership. That isn’t a knock on Max Alleyne or Abdukodir Khusanov; they are both young players learning their trade. Neither player can offer the leadership that Dias does. The presence of Ruben Dias has been missed, especially in Manchester City’s past two matches. The hope is that Marc Guehi can help fill this void until Dias returns from injury.
Final thoughts.
It does seem that too much is being left to Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva in terms of leadership on the pitch. Manchester City needs other players to step up and be leaders. It cannot simply fall on two players. City cannot afford to have Haaland and Rodri off their games like they have been in the past two matches. If they are, it leaves too much for their teammates to do.
Bernardo Silva will return for Manchester City’s upcoming Premier League fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers. So City will have one of their leaders back. But it is time for other players to step up in this regard. It cannot continue being a case of Bernardo or Ruben Dias setting the tone for their teammates to follow. That is too heavy a burden for them to carry. Whether or not that changes may dictate whether or not Pep Guardiola’s side snaps out of the funk that has set in throughout January.
Category: General Sports
