The whole team in the zone second half. Which doesn't make sense, does it? It's irrational. A must win match in 3 days, Carabao Cup fixture follows, and another must win 3 days later. Of course Guardiola values momentum, the morale of the team is a serious factor. Match rhythme is also a consideration, so minutes for some seniors to maintain sharpness -and they responded amazingly. Jack was protected. Others, Julian, Ryiad etc, need to build on their form...
Even so, you would expect a more cautious approach. Players need to save energy. Erling is a doubt, for example, so Julian will probably start vs Fulham. You see, decision makers have left a team which is supposed to challenge on 4 fronts, with 2 forwards, both newcomers, both youngsters, 21-22 yo. We have been lucky with Erling, yes, but Julian needs more time. 3 midfielders ahead of the No 6 position, Rodri's alternative injured. 2 basic options on the flanks -and a player like Phil expected to provide cover for like 5 positions. And the less said regarding the full backs situation the better. It's not just that a player like Joao is already overplayed -which shows in his game. Joao and Kyle need to be challenged. I don't doubt their professionalism, I will never do for any member of this group. But it's human nature -if you understand what I mean. Other than that, as always, Guardiola will make the best from resources available. Using a CB as a full back, for example, he will emphasise on control and possession, keeping the pace of the match as low as possible, avoiding an open game, chaotic situations. The reasons are obvious:
a. The schedule is crazy, players need to be protected, otherwise they won't make it.
b. "We are now exceptional in terms of runners coming from behind", as he said following the Leicester match. We definitely are not, Pep, I agree. We fucking should be though. John, Manuel, will do their best, no complaints. However, 9.5 times out of 10, City are bound to face teams defending in numbers in a low block. We need creativity and contribution offensively from all 11 players to deal with this. As I said, we fucking should be exceptional on the above mentioned terms, yet we lack the resources. This is Manchester City, by the way. This is not Leicester, West Ham or Southampton -no disrespect meant...
Anyway. What I wrote in the first paragraph, combined with this team's winning mentality, cannot provide answers regarding that unbelievable second half performance. Something is still missing. In my humble opinion, it's what Peter O'Toole's character says in D. Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia", interpreting the motive behind the attitude of Anthony Quinn's character: A matter of pleasure...
You see, only players who enjoy their football, enjoy being part of such a project, participating and contributing to this particular brand of football, can behave like this. Fulham? They forgot about them, if you ask me. They are indeed lucky being members of this TEAM, absolutely. And we are lucky with them. The rhythme was mental during second half, Sevilla players kept fighting for their lives basically to avoid humiliation (this is the CL after all, people were watching...), yet could not possibly cope with the circumstances: City's cohesion, chemistry, team spirit, passion, desire etc, are simply on another level. And Pep, as always, will keep introducing new tactical ideas...
No other tean in the planet respects an audience the way City do. Fact. People who were there, the millions who watched it from their living rooms, they all enjoyed a wonderful evening...
Sign the fucking extention Pep. City are growing day by day, attracting new fans. People who love football simply cannot resist. What you have already achieved is beyond exceptional, it's unfathomable -and I have explained why numerous times. But this is a process. You are still building -and it's special. As Rodri said recently, you have to be here, otherwise it doesn't make sense. All your players agree, take my word for it. Those with reservations (or should I say, those who had other priorities) have already left...
