Pep Guardiola - 2025/26

[Sam69]

He’s still a very good defender, especially under pressure, if he was fit he’d be playing. Dias is another player bluemoon has invented a nonsense myth around.Luckily Pep knows better than to take any notice of the internet..

Dias and Gvardiol were there, we were winning 5-1 against Fulham, then they scored 3 goals in 20 minutes (4-5) and almost equalized. We were on the back foot until the final whistle.

Same thing against Leeds at home, we were leading 2-0, then they put us under pressure, equalizing in 20 minutes (2-2). Luckily, Foden won us the 3 points in stoppage time.

Experience without quality isn't enough, and vice versa.
Dias and Gvardiol wouldn't have changed the difficulty we had against Everton.

We controlled the first half because Everton played deep. Right from the start of the second half, they pushed their defensive block higher and decided to impose an aggressive high press on us, and that's when we lost our way because the midfield of Nico G, Bernardo, and Cherki wasn't up to the task.

To fail to see that Rodri is the exception that proves the rule; he's the one who makes those who play alongside him, especially Bernardo, perform well.
Rodri is the engine, the one who gives us the ability to play the ball out cleanly.

To fail to see that we have a major problem in midfield is to miss the point of analyzing our real weaknesses.

 

[Sam69]

We mostly start to struggle in second half with our passing and possesion ,when teams up their intensity and physicality and start pressing more ,rather than sit back. Then some mistakes start to happen ,they can attack us much more and some players crumble under the pressure, that has happened most of the times we have lost points this season.

Thank you, and this only happens when Rodri isn't there. Our midfielders Bernardo and Nico aren't able to play with their backs to goal under intense pressure; you don't need to be a great tactician or analyst to see it, it's so obvious, and that's why our defense is struggling, we've seen it multiple times even with Dias and Gvardiol in defense.

 

[Paul1970]

Dias and Gvardiol were there, we were winning 5-1 against Fulham, then they scored 3 goals in 20 minutes (4-5) and almost equalized. We were on the back foot until the final whistle.

Same thing against Leeds at home, we were leading 2-0, then they put us under pressure, equalizing in 20 minutes (2-2). Luckily, Foden won us the 3 points in stoppage time.

Experience without quality isn't enough, and vice versa.
Dias and Gvardiol wouldn't have changed the difficulty we had against Everton.

We controlled the first half because Everton played deep. Right from the start of the second half, they pushed their defensive block higher and decided to impose an aggressive high press on us, and that's when we lost our way because the midfield of Nico G, Bernardo, and Cherki wasn't up to the task.

To fail to see that Rodri is the exception that proves the rule; he's the one who makes those who play alongside him, especially Bernardo, perform well.
Rodri is the engine, the one who gives us the ability to play the ball out cleanly.

To fail to see that we have a major problem in midfield is to miss the point of analyzing our real weaknesses.

Agree we are really missing having a destroyer in midfield who breaks up play .

 

[City_Sean]

Thank you, and this only happens when Rodri isn't there. Our midfielders Bernardo and Nico aren't able to play with their backs to goal under intense pressure; you don't need to be a great tactician or analyst to see it, it's so obvious, and that's why our defense is struggling, we've seen it multiple times even with Dias and Gvardiol in defense.

For me it's down to the lack of technical quality. When under pressure we used to have the likes of Gundogan, KDB, Silva etc who could receive the ball anywhere on the pitch, keep it and pop it off to their teammates.

Now the likes of Nico, Reijnders, Kovacic etc can't do it.

For me we need to be going back to signing elite technicians who can take the ball in any situation rather than guys who run with the ball.

 

[Newman Noggs]

For me it's down to the lack of technical quality. When under pressure we used to have the likes of Gundogan, KDB, Silva etc who could receive the ball anywhere on the pitch, keep it and pop it off to their teammates.

Now the likes of Nico, Reijnders, Kovacic etc can't do it.

For me we need to be going back to signing elite technicians who can take the ball in any situation rather than guys who run with the ball.

I was thinking just that whilst watching PSG last night.

 

[Damanino]

in terms of technique well look at Mahrez vs Semenyo. we decided to keep signing runners but dont alter the tactical setup enough so we still crave top level technicians but have players much more suited to counterattacking football. all of Reijnders, Semenyo, Marmoush, Kova etc would be potentially fantastic at somewhere like Inter or even Atletico.

still not seeing much of the supposed transition tactically that was talked about on the Leijnders arrival.

midfield is a huge problem, balance is not right and having Bernardo first name on the teamsheet despite has an expiring contract in 8 weeks is also odd. but we did same with KDB.

 

[supercity88]

I was thinking just that whilst watching PSG last night.

It frustrates me every time I watch them. You watch the technical quality of Neves and Vitinha and they just look like the perfect Pep players. Just one of them alongside Rodri or instead of Bernie/Nico/Kovacic on Monday and we play our way out of the Everton press more comfortably.

The rumours around Anderson gather pace. He is very comfortable on the ball and with his PL experience and age I'd say he'd improve us dramatically.

 

[pride in battle]

We couldn’t match their physicality particularly apparent during that 10 minute spell they scored twice. Even Khusanov was bullied into conceding possession in the play that led up to Guehi’s last ditch tackle for the corner that resulted in their second. Haaland was eased out at the corner by Jake O’Brien.
We’re just too fucking nice…..

Anderson will address some of that.

 

[bluegaz13]

For me it's down to the lack of technical quality. When under pressure we used to have the likes of Gundogan, KDB, Silva etc who could receive the ball anywhere on the pitch, keep it and pop it off to their teammates.

Now the likes of Nico, Reijnders, Kovacic etc can't do it.

For me we need to be going back to signing elite technicians who can take the ball in any situation rather than guys who run with the ball.

I can remember when I'd sit and watch the players warming up before a match ( I get there a little later now on the matchday bus ) and the players used to hammer the passes at each other but the majority of the players had such a great first touch that they just cushioned the ball.

There are very few in the squad that have this ability.

Unfortunately, the premiership has changed over the last few years and technical ability has now got to be teamed with more physicality....it's about getting the balance right.

 

[Sibierskii]

Come on Pep

 

[brazilians hurt]

Anderson will address some of that.

If we do sign him I hope he will but imho he looked pretty ordinary last night vs Villa

 

[waspish]

If we do sign him I hope he will but imho he looked pretty ordinary last night vs Villa

did you bring up all the times he had a great game?

 

[domalino]

For me it's down to the lack of technical quality. When under pressure we used to have the likes of Gundogan, KDB, Silva etc who could receive the ball anywhere on the pitch, keep it and pop it off to their teammates.

Now the likes of Nico, Reijnders, Kovacic etc can't do it.

For me we need to be going back to signing elite technicians who can take the ball in any situation rather than guys who run with the ball.

The problem is we're caught between 2 styles. We don't have an all out physical team and we don't have a supremely technical one who can play around that like PSG. We moved to try and get decent technical players who arne't tiny, like Reijnders, Marmoush, Gonzales but they just end up neither physical enough to outmuscle PL midfields nor technical enough to play around them.

With the targets we're looking at this summer, I think we're going for players who are properly technical and physical. Anderson is both, Maza is incredibly technical but he's also 6ft and rapid.

 

[twosips]

The problem is we're caught between 2 styles. We don't have an all out physical team and we don't have a supremely technical one who can play around that like PSG. We moved to try and get decent technical players who arne't tiny, like Reijnders, Marmoush, Gonzales but they just end up neither physical enough to outmuscle PL midfields nor technical enough to play around them.

With the targets we're looking at this summer, I think we're going for players who are properly technical and physical. Anderson is both, Maza is incredibly technical but he's also 6ft and rapid.

It's absolutely this. I don't think its a coincidence that our recent run of good form has been built on the highly technical attacking base of Rodri, Bernardo, Cherki, O'Reilly and Doku personally. If you want to put the cat amongst the pigeons, you could say when Trafford is in goal we've looked much better too as a traditional 'City' technical side. Add a fit Gvardiol to that, and maybe Foden on the right at his technical, confident best floating about and switching with Cherki, with Nunes overlapping, and City are a different beast altogether IMO - one way more at home in their own skin.

Switch Anderson for Bernardo if you want and Maza for Foden.

 

[madloaf]

I don't think its a coincidence that our recent run of good form has been built on Rodri

Fixed.

 

[youngbob]

The problem is we're caught between 2 styles. We don't have an all out physical team and we don't have a supremely technical one who can play around that like PSG. We moved to try and get decent technical players who arne't tiny, like Reijnders, Marmoush, Gonzales but they just end up neither physical enough to outmuscle PL midfields nor technical enough to play around them.

With the targets we're looking at this summer, I think we're going for players who are properly technical and physical. Anderson is both, Maza is incredibly technical but he's also 6ft and rapid.

Really good observation this. But would caveat that Gonzales did a great job before Pep left him out in the cold before Christmas.

 

[Blue_Lightsaber]

Doesn't look to me like Pep wants to leave anytime soon..

 

[Chak19]

His subs were well timed and worked.

 

[Gabriel]

His subs were well timed and worked.

Not sure the substitutions affected the first goal, but they certainly all influenced the game.
Strange that he again only made 3 substitutions, especially with a game midweek.
Would be particularly interested to see what he would have done if Ake had pulled up. I’m not convinced that Stones and Dias are anywhere near fit to play.

 

[Chak19]

Not sure the substitutions affected the first goal, but they certainly all influenced the game.
Strange that he again only made 3 substitutions, especially with a game midweek.
Would be particularly interested to see what he would have done if Ake had pulled up. I’m not convinced that Stones and Dias are anywhere near fit to play.

I've given up hope on Pep making 5 subs at this point.