Lyon defeat suggests Man City’s depth will be tested
Phil Foden may capitlaise on De Bruyne’s absence
Photo Joe Misseri / Prost Amerika
By Ryan Conway
Manchester City paid for a sloppy performance midweek with a 2-1 home defeat against Lyon in their Champions League opener.
While the result marked the first time an English team has lost four consecutive games in the competition, there is little need for panic at this juncture.
A question must simply be asked about Pep Guardiola’s strength in depth if those regarded as fringe players are forced into action for an extended period.
The current Premier League champions were without two of their stars on Wednesday. Kevin De Bruyne is a long-term absentee, meanwhile Sergio Aguero missed out due to an ankle problem sustained against Fulham, resigning him to the bench for just over an hour. Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo is also out for the season, although his role had been diminished to strictly a backup to Ederson. Benjamin Mendy also picked up an ankle injury and Brazilian defender Danilo has been fighting his way back from an injury sustained during the World Cup.
All in all, Guardiola is missing a lot of key men to begin his mission of guiding the Citizens to their first Champions League triumph. Yet you will find little sympathy offered to the former Barcelona boss, such is the abundance of talent at his disposal.
John Stones, Nicholas Otamendi and Ilkay Gundogan were all drafted into the side to face the French outfit. All have displayed their quality yet on this night lacked cohesion. Fabian Delph was outstanding deputising for the injured Mendy last term, but his error gifted Gnarly Cornet the opening goal. Often throughout last season many concluded the former Aston Villa man was the only weakness within the side, Delph has done a marvelous job reinventing himself, yet most recognise that left-back is not his natural position.
Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus remains a superstar in the making. Aguero was listed as a substitute due to fitness concerns on this night yet when Jesus was taking the Premier League by storm, the Argentine was kept from the starting XI due to his colleague’s blistering form. His second full season in Manchester has not started with a bang. Jesus has found the net just once this season. His barren start comes off the back of a frustrating World Cup, failing to find the net at all in his five appearances.
The 21-year-old’s indifferent form forced Assistant Manager Mikel Arteta to withdraw him, replaced by Aguero for the final 27 minutes and still down two goals. The scenario is not ideal for Guardiola, who was forced to watch from the stands after receiving a ban during last season’s quarter-final clash with Liverpool. A third striker would have been ideal, giving Guardiola and Arteta flexibility with their centre-forward options – although to add even more attacking talent to the squad could be unfair on the competition.
Riyad Mahez and Leroy Sane were added to the fray but they have been facing their own adversities. Summer signing Mahrez has made just two starts since his £60 million move from Leicester City. The Algerian has equipped himself well since the move and the goals are sure to come, but as of yet he is still searching for his first strike in a City shirt. Meanwhile Sane has been surrounded in off the field headlines after the shock decision of Joachim Low to leave him out of his World Cup squad.
Russia’s extravaganza featured 16 of Guardiola’s men, with only Gundogan and Germany eliminated at the group stages. The 47-year-old Catalan, along with several other Premier League managers, has bemoaned the relentless fixture list in England, the addition of the World Cup, will not have eased those feelings. Heavy legs result in fatigue and injuries, leaving the side stretched thinner than usual.
An optimist will point to the opportunities this affords fringe players. Phil Foden’s name has popped up on the team sheet with increasing frequency. Although he has seldom been used hopes will be high that the faith shown in him, couple with fresh legs, will see the 18-year-old build on his five Premier League appearances last campaign.
Only Tottenham Hotspur players racked up more minutes in Russia than the 4,583 accumulated by Man City. An average of 286.4 minutes per player. Manchester City’s squad may be the strongest in the league, but in a World Cup year their supreme strength may have become their early season weakness.
Another test awaits the great Guardiola, to juggle the rigors of English and European football while most of the squad have not had their requisite amount of rest. There will be no bigger test of his side’s depth.
