Pep Guardiola remained resolute during his press conference after Manchester City surrendered a two-goal advantage to draw against Spurs. However, he acknowledged that his team faces “difficulties in many areas.”
These issues suggest that City’s recent loss of points can’t simply be attributed to the peculiar Tottenham curse, where they’ve managed only four wins in twelve matches against the London side since the 2021-22 season.
A potential reason for this disappointing record could be that Spurs, regardless of their struggles, thrive on counterattacks, often capitalizing on City’s attempts to build momentum.
City appears vulnerable when they try to implement their game plan ineffectively, a situation that aggressive teams can exploit. This trend has been evident throughout this season and more specifically during the match against Spurs.
Despite having 12 first-team players sidelined due to injury and trailing 2-0 at halftime, Spurs returned to the match with more assertiveness in the second half, unsettling City, who also lowered their intensity.
Momentum Control Issues
Guardiola frequently mentioned “momentum” post-match, emphasizing City’s inability to quell a revitalized Spurs after halftime. He also remarked on the unique pace and physicality of the English game, noting the challenges of controlling momentum this season.
Challenges in the Final Third
Guardiola highlighted City’s need for improvement in their final third play, noting, “When we could run, we did not even shoot, and that is an area we need to enhance.” Despite being two goals up at halftime, there were numerous instances where City failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Second Half Struggles
A disturbing statistic emerged, revealing that City has “lost” as many second halves this season as relegation-threatened Burnley (nine). This issue was again noticeable in the match against Spurs, and although Guardiola acknowledged the trend, he seemed uncertain about how to address it.
Future Prospects
While City’s difficulties in controlling games, especially after halftime, coupled with their final-third inefficiency, contribute to their struggles, the potential for improvement is evident. If they can better utilize their attacking talents and enhance their defensive engagements, brighter days may be ahead for Guardiola’s side.
