City Woes: The league champions are suffering from snake bite

It seemed like the right moment to bring on fresh players with City leading Feyenoord 3-0 on Tuesday night. Usually, Pep Guardiola makes substitutions when the game is secure. However, these are not normal times for City, and everything doesn’t seem alright. It looks as if City is suffering from the venom of a poisonous serpent, draining their blood and causing tiredness right from the manager down to the squad.

When Kevin De Bruyne, James McAtee, and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey entered the match, City appeared to be on their way to a crucial win. Erling Haaland had scored a goal following a nice team play, and it looked like they were back to their usual form. City was once a fearful and terrorizing team. But now they lost a 3-0 lead to Feyenoord. How can this be explained?

Normally, reaching a three-goal lead signifies that the game is under control. Guardiola usually takes this opportunity to give minutes to players in need of experience. This has been a common aspect of watching City, where fans could expect a relatively calm final stretch of the match. Unfortunately, that sense of assurance is presently gone.

The disappointment was palpable, and supporters expressed their frustration with boos at the final whistle. Guardiola responded to the criticism, saying fans come to watch the team win and perform well, not to remember past successes.

When asked about the substitutes, Guardiola indicated they weren’t the issue. He says it’s a broader concern with the team’s performance. He even humorously noted a scratch on his nose, attributing it to a fingernail cut, but it became a symbol of the stress he is under.

The team’s issues seem to go beyond mere tactical adjustments. They suffer from a lack of energy in midfield, which allows opponents to exploit their weakened defense. While City has played well at times lately, the problems are deeper, rooted in a lack of confidence among the players.

Josko Gvardiol, once one of the most steady players, has recently struggled. Thereby contributing to goals conceded in matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Feyenoord, respectively. Guardiola reflected on their recent struggles, acknowledging that the team is currently fragile and in need of recovery.

Next, City faces Liverpool at Anfield, a challenging opponent where even the best City sides have faltered in the past. While Liverpool is effective, City is currently lacking the control that has defined Guardiola’s team.

Guardiola has noted that such a downturn in form was inevitable given the number of matches his players have faced in recent years. He highlighted a historical trend where Premier League champions often struggle the next season. He mentioned teams like United, Chelsea, Leicester, and even Liverpool.

With a tough schedule ahead against Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Manchester United, and Aston Villa, the challenges for City are piling up. The team must regroup quickly to address these issues before it’s too late.