FOR MAN CITY, this was a hugely significant win in terms of their Premier League title aspirations.
And it now begs the question: Can they go the whole season unbeaten?
I genuinely think they could. Of course, it won’t be easy but they have the capabilities to emulate Arsenal’s 2003-04 Invincibles.
The key will be when the Champions League restarts in February and they juggle assignments both domestically and abroad.
Man City are the best team in Europe right now and arguably have the best squad on the continent.
City boss Pep Guardiola has transformed the players in the City squad. Since arriving at the Ethiad, Pep has improved the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Fabian Delph, Kyle Walker, John Stones and Fernandinho. The problem with taking on City is that if you try to go toe-to-toe with them, you have to commit attackers and front men forward. And if you do that, then City simply pick you off.
The other method would be to defend deep against them – and yet if you do that, your front man is usually left isolated up front.
You watch City and the way they use the ball and their movement – their one-touch passing and pressing – is incredible. City ran 113km compared to United’s tally of 107km – and had 44 touches in the opposition’s box at Old Trafford.
When City attack, teams have to get numbers behind the ball, to make sure they aren’t outnumbered.
If you do manage to break down their attack, then because they press so quickly and efficiently, you have to play out from the back. Play it long and then nine times out of 10 City will win the ball back.
Essentially, against City, you are damned if you do, dammed if you don’t.
They have the stamina, endurance, and discipline to keep up their high pressing.
I suppose someone will eventually beat them – though that seems near enough impossible at this stage. A brave team would have to play through pressing and take maybe five or six City players out of the game.
The top teams are changing their systems to accommodate City because they are fearful of what Guardiola’s men can do. They are fantastic to watch right now.
From The Sun
From The Sun
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