he used to reinvent the team year on year, now I dont see whats the big idea really. tactically not much going on, new arrivals aint changing much either and the injuries even work like wrecking ball to what at least worked last season.
there will be quite a lot of games where we create fuck all for Haaland and his role is really not helpful in those games as off the ball he is not a threat. also who is there to punish defenders. do they double up on Haaland, do they double up on Savinho? ok who is there to then make a run into the box, move others away from the ball. nobody.
lots of passing between our defenders high up, Gvardiol, Dias, Akanji will not do the defence splitting passes(neither Kova), also move the ball quick enough. out to the left, back to Gvardiol. then we lose and a counter splits us. conceded quite a few goals like this already.
Gundo had this skill to arrive in the box in great rhythm, create panic,chances, assists, goals, but thats the Gundo of 21-22, 22-23. Barca sent back the Gundo of season 28-29. :)
overall this City team is a bit slower, less energy and just general tiredness and quite a few players badly out of form. bit of a worry in early November as the schedule just getting serious now.
maybe lack of proper pre-season is a factor, lack of new impact from transfers and lack of transfers in general but that is partially what was preferred by Txiki and Pep otherwise they could have done much more.
we had this before, looking almost poor early on then it clicks after January and we look unstoppable. never really did that tho without Rodri, and he is more than just a great number 6, his match winning goals, momentum and power in the middle, to drive us forward, its really missing.