A new series of rematches for the Champions League final.
The competitors are no longer afraid of Guardiola
It turned out great. Josep’s approach was found to be reproducible. Arteta is a direct student, many of the principles of the “citizens” are applied by the graceful “Arsenal”. Londoners and other teams Premier Leaguesuch as Newcastle e Manchester United, there was a trust that was not enough. And the private champion himself has partly lost it. Not the gods burn pots. The old rule worked that a naked king loses his sacred status. At the same time, Guardiola is right when we celebrate the power of Premier League clubs. Liverpool and Chelsea are in crisis, because they are far from the top three Premier Leaguebut at the same time these are the teams for the semi-final Champions Leagueif they play to the limit. Thus, the meeting between Manchester City and Chelsea, despite Potter’s place in the table, can reveal a couple more disadvantages of the “citizens”, in addition to the already known ones. As the matches against Brentford and Everton reveal.
The “citizens” don’t know how to adapt at all
Defeat to Brentford, specialists at working against the favourites, as Frank took points from Manchester, Chelsea and Liverpool clubs, showed one of City’s major weaknesses. They know how to play Guardiola’s football, but any deviation from a certain trajectory leads to confusion, missed chances and failures, of which there are many. 17 rounds, 5 points dropped.
If Chelsea don’t lose at home, Josep will be on the schedule: every third game Premier League it doesn’t go as you planned. Opponents often direct the force of “nationals” against the favorite. There are many shots, but it is important that the rare ones hit the target. The low block works, the troubled Everton, where the fans are asking to sack Lampard, did not lose away to Guardiola. We played compact in defence, conceded by the Netherlands, but came back. Morally, you don’t become weak: you have the chance not to lose against Manchester City right away. It has been that way since the first game of the season, when Liverpool beat the champions in the Super Bowl thanks to a late goal. At the same time, the opponent, of course, had more ball possession, passed more often and more accurately.
Passionate about winning the Champions League
In the spring, this factor will begin to affect even more. Will go to Champions League far away – they will get tired, they will soon fly away – they will lose their tone. Manchester City are not champions of concentration. Otherwise, Real Madrid would have gone to the Champions League playoffs. And they would surely have beaten Chelsea in the final of the same tournament. The victory with a goal from Havertz was Chelsea’s last success against Guardiola. Subsequently, they lost three times in a row without scoring a single goal.
But now the “citizens” are again keen on chasing the “ears”. Favorites let Arsenal go Premier League. Guadiola is right: you have to play perfectly to overcome the Gunners without the help of Arteta’s team. Today is an incredibly important match where any Chelsea success works for the leader Premier League. So far, having opened eight points, but after the draw with Newcastle, Arteta is a fan of the “aristocrats”. It is important for Mikel that Potter’s team does not fall apart under the weight of the favorite, who is strangling his rivals.
Guardiola has gathered many selfish players
I don’t want to blame Bernard for not noticing the perversity of Mendy’s close friend, because even serial killers often have wives and children who know nothing, not to mention friends. But the Portuguese himself, although he hasn’t committed terrible crimes, has a reputation for a tough troll. In “Manchester City” sharp, impudent and narcissistic characters came together. De Bruyne is a great passing master, but the Belgian is ruthless with people. He pretends to joke, but hurts with words. The veteran’s interview caused a conflict in the Belgian national team, when he called his teammates “retirees” and doubted whether it was possible to win with such a team. Holland is more ironic than Kevin, but there is also Ibrahimovic’s ego. Grealish is a difficult character. Walker is wiser in word than in action. “Star to catch” he can any second. Manchester City lacks the wisdom to be successful in Europe.
Manchester City is a real football machine
Understanding the reasons for their failures – mainly moral, it is important to note that the arguments have little to do with skill. The defense is weaker, because Dias and the Stones aren’t always on base, Akanji and Ake make mistakes more often, but midfield and attack are fabulous. Guardiola stamped the throat of the “false nine” song by inviting Haaland. Insured by taking Alvarez. Now the manager needs time to adapt the new players. It is also surprising that rotation is clearly harmful. Guardiola is afraid to anger the reservists, not only Gundogan and Mahrez are unhappy. There’s Phillips, who the mentor called “fat” to enter the field, Laporte and Grealish. Facade on the field – a powerful game of the first number, it can be combined with mutual insults outside of it.
Manchester City have two teams on the field, twenty players in addition to Ederson. And since there is a share of sheikhs ready to pour money on newcomers at any moment, conflicts are inevitable. Manchester City is unlikely to cope perfectly with setbacks. The importance of playing against Chelsea is hard to put into words. If Guardiola’s team destroys the opponent with his style, it will aggravate Potter’s position – already in tenth place, even if they have games in hand.
But if the Londoners have enough moral and physical strength to stop the Dutch team, then do not rush to give all the trophies to Manchester City. Guardiola will have to prove the right to win against Chelsea in two games in a row, also play in the FA Cup Manchester United derby next week. And in the Champions League, where Leipzig are the first and almost the last opponent in the playoffs. It is already clear that the big ones after world Cup difficult, as if they had started the season over again, like Napoli yesterday. Manchester City do not play easy, even if they are much more powerful than the stubborn Chelsea. But it was the same day of the Champions League final, which ended in favor of the Londoners.
