Pep Guardiola: Kevin De Bruyne a Doubt for Manchester Derby with Shoulder Injury
Mar 5, 2020
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 01: Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City looks on during the Carabao Cup Final between Aston Villa and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on March 1, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Manchester City's star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is a doubt for Sunday's Premier League showdown with Manchester United.
De Bruyne was not involved on Wednesday, when City booked their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.
After the game, manager Pep Guardiola was quizzed on the Belgian's absence and said he's in a race to be fit for the match at Old Trafford: "Kevin had a shoulder problem and was not fit. The last minutes [of the League Cup final] he fell down in a bad position and had a problem. We don't know how long, hopefully not much."
City weren't at their best without De Bruyne at Hillsborough, but they were able to set up a last-eight meeting with Newcastle United thanks to Sergio Aguero's goal:
De Bruyne didn't start Sunday's EFL Cup final win over Aston Villa, either, although he did come on as a substitute in the second period to help the team see out a 2-1 victory.
While any realistic hopes of winning the Premier League appear to be long gone—Liverpool are a massive 22 points clear of the champions, although City do have a game in hand—they are still in contention for two other pieces of silverware in addition to their EFL Cup success.
If they are going to win the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League this season, they will need De Bruyne. The playmaker was crucial in his side's recent 2-1 win over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu:
Kevin de Bruyne with an assist and a goal (his 50th for the club) to help Man City come from behind at the Bernabeu. Literally running out of things to say about him. He’s just SO bloody good. #MCFC
City and United have met three times already this season, once in the Premier League and in two legs of an EFL Cup semi-final. The Red Devils have twice won at the Etihad Stadium, while Guardiola's team won the first leg of their semi-final 3-1 at Old Trafford.
United have been performing well of late and are in a tight race for a top-four berth. As such, City may need De Bruyne fit and in form to take three points from the game.
Sergio Aguero's Goal Lifts Manchester City Past Sheffield Wednesday in FA Cup
Mar 4, 2020
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - MARCH 04: Sergio Aguero of Manchester City Shoots and scores a goal to make it 1-0 during the FA Cup Fifth Round match between Sheffield Wednesday and Manchester City at Hillsborough on March 4, 2020 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Manchester City took another step forward in their defence of the FA Cup on Wednesday, battling to a 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough in the fifth round.
City dominated the first 45 minutes without being at their best. The closest they came to breaking the deadlock before half-time came through an unlikely source in Nicolas Otamendi, as the defender planted a header against the bar.
In the second half, the holders were much improved, with Sergio Aguero striking in the 53rd minute to give them the lead. Despite a late flurry from the home side, City were able to control much of the second period and should have extended their advantage before full time.
The match settled into an unsurprising pattern early on, with City dominating possession and Wednesday seeking to spring clear on the counter-attack.
Gabriel Jesus did well on a couple of occasions to get in behind, although on each instance a poor touch prevented the forward from getting a shot off.
In addition to their dominance in open play, the away side were also able to provide a threat from set pieces.
Otamendi was proving difficult for the opposition defence to handle, and the Argentinian was inches away from giving City the lead, with his header clattering off the bar. John Stones also missed a golden chance before the break, skewing a header into the ground and over.
At the break, Nancy Frostick of The Athletic commented on what was a determined performance from the home side, who had benefitted from the visitors' profligacy:
HT: #SWFC 0-0 Manchester City A solid half from Wednesday who have limited City to 0 (yes, zero) shots on target. The visitors have threatened but Monk's side doing well here #FACup
With Pep Guardiola's half-time words ringing in their ears, there was more intensity in City's play at the start of the second period.
Benjamin Mendy thundered a shot off the bar, and the breakthrough came soon after. Aguero was able to find space in the Wednesday area, and while Joe Wildsmith did get a hand on the left-footed effort, the ball looped up into the air and into the net:
The goal drained the vigour from Wednesday's work off the ball, and for much of the remainder of the game, City were able to keep possession almost at walking pace.
Riyad Mahrez was the man who looked most capable of adding to City's advantage, although he was foiled on a number of occasions by Wildsmith with shots from distance.
Raheem Sterling, on as a late substitute, had a golden chance to score a second in stoppage time. His effort was befitting of a man low on confidence, having hit straight at the goalkeeper.
What's Next?
Following back-to-back cup matches—City won the Carabao Cup against Aston Villa on Sunday—Guardiola's team are back in action in the Premier League on Sunday, with bitter rivals Manchester United the visitors.
Wednesday will visit Championship promotion hopefuls Brentford a day earlier.
Gareth Southgate: Phil Foden 'Hard to Gauge' Due to Manchester City Rotation
Mar 4, 2020
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 01: Phil Foden of Manchester City celebrates victory after the Carabao Cup Final between Aston Villa and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on March 01, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus)
England manager Gareth Southgate has said it's "hard to gauge" the level of Manchester City prodigy Phil Foden due to his lack of playing time.
Foden starred for City on Sunday when they clinched the Carabao Cup with a 2-1 win over Aston Villa at Wembley. The nature of his performance in that encounter and various other matches this season has prompted calls for Foden to be named in the upcoming England squads.
Speaking about the 19-year-old at the UEFA Nations League draw, Southgate said he's been impressed by what he's seen from the player, although he admitted Foden's sporadic appearances for City provide an issue, per Joe Bray of the Manchester Evening News:
"The door's open for everybody. We've got 70 English players in the league and when they're of the quality of a player like Phil then of course the door's open. ...
"But it's clear he hasn't played a lot of first-team football, so it's hard to gauge his level at times. But it was a brilliant experience for him to be involved in a game like he was at the weekend. The result matters as much as it did at the start and you saw glimpses of the quality that he's got."
Although Southgate has made it clear he does have some doubts over the City tyro, according to James Ducker of the Daily Telegraph, the playmaker is poised to make the cut for the Three Lions squad in upcoming friendlies against Italy and Denmark in three weeks.
After winning the League Cup, Foden posted the following message on Twitter, offering a reminder of how much progress he has made:
2012: I was an 11yr old city fan watching Aguero win us our first Prem title
As a result of City's high-class midfield options, there have been times in the last three years when Foden has struggled to get consistent minutes. However, there's been an increased maturity in his play as of late, and he appears closer than ever to nailing down a first-team berth.
Per OptaJoe, when he has managed to get on the field recently, the England youth international has been productive:
9 - Phil Foden has been directly involved in nine goals in his 10 starts for Manchester City this season in all competitions (two goals & seven assists). Accomplished. pic.twitter.com/aoc5D2CvUR
While Pep Guardiola's utilisation of Foden previously has been criticised, Sam Cunningham from The i noted that the youngster appears to be benefitting from his coach's influence:
Four minutes before City scored, Guardiola had a quick word with Foden and told him to stick more to the right, as he kept drifting inside. Ball from left to right, Foden header, Aguero finish.
Southgate has not been shy when it comes to calling up young players, previously giving Callum Hudson-Odoi a full debut in 2019 despite the fact he had not started a game for Chelsea. As such, Foden will surely be under serious consideration ahead of the upcoming matches and the summer's Euros.
The challenge for Foden will be to continue excelling in the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League. If he can become a bigger part of a well-oiled City team, there's no reason why he shouldn't be involved for his country in some capacity at senior level.
Manchester City Win Third-Straight Carabao Cup, Beat Aston Villa in 2020 Final
Mar 1, 2020
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 01: Sergio Aguero of Manchester City celebrates with teammate Phil Foden after scoring his team's first goal during the Carabao Cup Final between Aston Villa and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on March 01, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Sergio Aguero and Rodri gave City a two-goal lead, but Mbwana Samatta hit back shortly before half-time. Neither side were able to add to the scoreline after the break, but Villa hit the post in the final minutes.
City started Sunday's final as the back-to-back defending champions and also won the 2016 final, making it four wins in five tries.
Villa started the match showing little fear of the defending champions, and it nearly paid off immediately. Ahmed Elmohamady picked out Anwar El Ghazi with a great cross just minutes into the contest, but the Dutch forward couldn't keep his header on target.
TheIndependent's Miguel Delaney thought he should have scored:
Should be 1-0 Villa. El Ghazi has taken that poorly.
The opening 10 minutes belonged to the Villans, but City soon settled into their rhythm and started to dominate the midfield battle. Phil Foden and Rodri did a fine job controlling the ball, and both played a role in the first goal.
The Spaniard picked out his team-mate with a great ball over the top, and Foden headed it into the path of Aguero, who didn't miss. It was a delightful move to break Villa's low block, per Henry Winter of theTimes:
Ruthless from #mcfc, so quick in transition, switching play, so incisive. Sterling to Rodri to Foden to Aguero finish. #avfc had been sitting deep, massed defence, but City's speed opened them up.
Foden could have doubled the lead six minutes later, but his effort deflected off Matt Targett and out for a corner.
City continued to prod and got a second goal through Rodri in controversial fashion. Replays showed a corner never should have been awarded, and the Spaniard headed home from the resulting set piece.
It was all too easy, per BBC Sport's Phil McNulty:
Manchester City 2-0 up. Rodri header. All so very easy.
City remained the dominant side early in the second half, and Foden went close to restoring the two-goal lead with a bouncing volley that skimmed the post.
City manager Pep Guardiola opted to bring on Kevin De Bruyne after 58 minutes, and the Belgian almost made the perfect impact, nearly picking out Aguero after a great move. Tyrone Mings was able to make the last-minute block.
Foden continued to run the show, drawing praise from Bleacher Report's Jack J. Collins:
It’s obviously frustrating that we don’t see him week in, week out, but Pep’s mentoring system of him is clearly working. Every single time he’s on show, he’s better than he was the last time and that’s not something you say often.
Marvelous Nakamba was lucky to stay on the pitch after a bad two-footed challenge on Aguero, and moments later, Rodri nearly had a second goal, seeing his effort saved by Orjan Nyland.
Aguero left the pitch late with a visible limp, a worrying sign with the second leg of the UEFA Champions League tie with Real Madrid on the horizon.
Villa were unable to muster much of a late offensive, but did go agonisingly close to forcing extra time when Bjorn Engels hit the post with a header via Claudio Bravo's outstretched right hand.
What's Next?
City will return to cup action on Wednesday, visiting Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup. Villa visit Leicester City in the Premier League on Monday, March 9.
Kevin De Bruyne Says Liverpool 'Deserve to Win and Be Champions Again'
Feb 29, 2020
Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne during the English Premier League soccer match between Sheffield United and Manchester City at Bramall Lane in Sheffield, England, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
Kevin De Bruyne doesn't mind being honest about Manchester City's rivals Liverpool being worthy Premier League champions this season.
De Bruyne knows his side won't win the title for a third year running, but he believes basic errors have doomed City's challenge. It has the Belgium international reminiscing about the 2016/17 campaign, Pep Guardiola's first in charge in the sky blue half of Manchester, when City finished third and trophyless.
Speaking to Laura Woods of Sky Sports, De Bruyne denied there was any animosity toward Liverpool despite the Reds being 22 points clear at the top of the table and seemingly destined to win the top-flight crown for the first time since 1990:
"We're performing well but we've lost too many points. It feels a bit like the first season with Pep where we were playing good football but we were making too many errors.
"There are games where you think you are fully in control and then the last five or 10 minutes, we basically gave it away and in this period where Liverpool are not dropping any points, every point you drop is too much. Even if we did better, I think the way Liverpool are performing this year and winning basically everything, they deserve to win and be champions again.
"I don't think there is a level of frustration with Liverpool because you just have to applaud what they are doing. It's also the same as what we had for the last two years—if you have that many points and win that many games, there's not a lot the opposition can do and I know they're just going to control what they do themselves."
Matching Liverpool's consistency has proved beyond City, despite the obvious talent around De Bruyne. This is still a group that's scored the most goals in the division, 68, four more than the leaders and champions-elect.
De Bruyne has been a key factor behind the Citizens' awesome output in the final third. The 28-year-old has helped himself to eight goals and 16 assists in the division this season.
Those numbers have naturally been earning De Bruyne some lofty plaudits:
Kevin De Bruyne's Man City career by numbers so far:
While there may still be some debate about De Bruyne being the best in his trade on the planet, the player himself believes a Ballon d'Or is "probably not too far" off. Making good on this confidence will prove difficult if a UEFA ban from the Champions League is upheld.
European football's governing body has hit City with a two-year ban from the tournament for financial fair play irregularities. City have appealed the punishment with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, per the Guardian's David Conn, but as things stand, this season has become make or break for the club on the continent.
Fortunately for the Citizens, a De Bruyne masterclass helped earn a 2-1 win over Real Madrid in the first leg of the last 16 at the Santiago Bernabeu. He put a cross on to the head of Gabriel Jesus for City's first before taking the responsibility himself to score from the penalty spot late on.
It was the kind of performance Ballon d'Or victories are built upon. De Bruyne needs the broader exposure afforded by the Champions League to put him above the familiar names come awards time.
He should at least be able to count on City maintaining domestic dominance. The Citizens face Aston Villa in the 2020 Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday, providing De Bruyne the chance to lift the trophy for the third year running and fourth time overall since joining the club in 2015. City are also still in the FA Cup and equipped to defend the trophy won last season.
A dynamic midfield where De Bruyne is supported by David Silva, Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gunodgan is the envy of most top clubs. Meanwhile, De Bruyne has an ample array of goalscorers to aim for in the form of Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling.
Creativity is the one area where City exceed Liverpool, but De Bruyne and Co. can't match the solidity of the Reds. While Liverpool's success is underpinned by a formidable defence led by centre-back Virgil van Dijk and goalkeeper Alisson Becker, City have been vulnerable at the back amid Aymeric Laporte's run of injuries.
Fixing the back line has to be Guardiola's priority if he's going to put a balanced supporting cast around De Bruyne and ensure Liverpool's one-sided march to the title is just a one-season blip.
De Bruyne, Rodri, Jesus and Notable Stats for Manchester City from February
Feb 29, 2020
MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 26: Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City warms up prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Real Madrid and Manchester City at Bernabeu on February 26, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Mateo Villalba/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Kevin De Bruyne again led the way for Manchester City during February. A program of fixtures abbreviated by the winter break and UEFA Champions League duty still saw the Citizens win twice in the Premier League without conceding, with the only blot on the copybook being a 2-0 defeat away to Tottenham Hotspur to start the month.
De Bruyne was the star of the show when West Ham United were brushed aside 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium. Holding midfielder Rodri has also been a standout domestically. The Spaniard is proving an effective hub of possession in deeper areas and even added his third goal of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus was the match-winner when Leicester City were beaten 1-0 at the King Power Stadium. The victory is a strong step toward the Citizens clinching second spot, but it wasn't Jesus' only notable contribution.
City's No. 9 parlayed his standout turn against the Foxes into a start against Real Madrid in the first leg of the last 16 in the UEFA Champions League. Jesus headed in the opener before De Bruyne struck from the penalty spot during a 2-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Manchester City Statistical Leaders in the PremierLeague (per the league's official website)
Goals: Sergio Aguero 16, Raheem Sterling 11, Gabriel Jesus 10, Kevin De Bruyne 8, Riyad Mahrez 7
Assists: Kevin De Bruyne 16, Riyad Mahrez 8, David Silva 7, Bernardo Silva 5, Gabriel Jesus 4
Passes: Rodri 1,907, Fernandinho 1,710, Kevin De Bruyne 1,470, Ilkay Gundogan 1,438, Kyle Walker 1,418
De Bruyne Still the Creative Talisman
4 starts, 2 goals (all competitions)
2 assists
12 shots
Highest Pass Success Percentage: 86.3 vs. West Ham
De Bruyne remains the player City's game goes through. The Belgium international has allied his vision and technique with a level of industry few other naturally creative players in the division can match.
His performance against the Hammers on February 19 represented the perfect distillation of De Bruyne's attributes:
👏 Kevin De Bruyne is Man of the Match
🥇 20 passes into opp. box 🥇 6 chances created 🥇 14 crosses & corners 🥇 5 dribbles
⚽️ Goal & assist in the same PL match for 4th time this season - more often than any other player pic.twitter.com/qLLeFVHlxs
There isn't a phase of City's game De Bruyne isn't the chief architect of. He leads the press relentlessly, is never shy about tracking back to tackle and still finds time to pose a legitimate scoring threat, proved by striking his eighth league goal of the season against West Ham.
A typically productive outing in the Spanish capital helped highlight the tactical flexibility De Bruyne lends to City boss Pep Guardiola. He deployed his best player as a false 9, and City's midfield general responded brilliantly.
City won't win the league for a third year in a row, but the club remains viable in three other competitions. This talented squad's chances of lifting silverware will hinge on De Bruyne's form.
Rodri Finally Living Up to the Billing
4 starts, 1 goal (all competitions)
4 shots
Highest Pass Success Percentage: 94.7 vs. West Ham
It's taken a while, but Rodri is beginning to look like the player the Citizens thought they were getting when they paid a club-record £62.8 million to sign him from Atletico Madrid last summer.
He's been tasked with acting as a holding midfielder, but the 23-year-old is different to key veteran Fernandinho. Rodri lacks the Brazilian's tenacity, awareness and positional sense as a natural enforcer.
Instead, Rodri is more akin to a deep-lying playmaker. He is a pass-master who broke a 90-percent success rate three times in all competitions, according to WhoScored.com.
Rodri's best game came against the Hammers, where his faultless and varied distribution helped City dictate the pace of play:
Rodrigo Hernández against West Ham:
• 178 of 188 passes completed • 6 of 8 long balls completed
Having a player with this wide a range of passing adds a flexibility to how City attack. Rather than be restricted to patient and short-range buildup, City can also release pace instantly with direct passes over the top.
Guardiola's team is still more secure with 34-year-old Fernandinho underpinning midfield and shielding the back four. Yet Guardiola has managed to provide Rodri with additional security by partnering him with Ilkay Gundogan, while Fernandinho has filled in at centre-back.
It's one other reason why City's big-money summer import is beginning to prove a success.
Jesus Seizing His Opportunities
1 start
2 goals
Whenever Jesus gets the start ahead of Aguero, there is a question mark about whether City are weaker. However, the 22-year-old has been refuting this idea by providing the finishing touch where the Argentinian has been lacking.
Aguero couldn't score from the penalty spot against the Foxes, so it was left to Jesus to save the day as a 77th-minute substitute. He finished superbly from a Riyad Mahrez cross, a precursor for what happened against Real.
Like De Bruyne, Jesus showed flexibility by playing wide left but still finding the right moments to trouble Real in central areas. His most notable contribution on a busy night was the pinpoint header won above Sergio Ramos to claim City's first away goal:
Gabriel Jesus’ game by numbers vs. Real Madrid:
95% pass accuracy 8 ball recoveries 4 shots (2 on target) 3 successful take-ons 2 interceptions 2 tackles won 2 aerials won 1 goal
Having two strikers as productive as Jesus and Aguero, both of whom can be relied upon in big matches, is a luxury few City's rivals enjoy. It's why the club remains in the thick of the hunt for trophies, both at home and abroad.
Manchester City Defender Aymeric Laporte out for a Month with Hamstring Injury
Feb 28, 2020
MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 26: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Aymeric Laporte of Manchester City looks dejected during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Real Madrid and Manchester City at Bernabeu on February 26, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alejandro Rios/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday that French centre-back Aymeric Laporte will miss a month of action after sustaining a hamstring injury against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.
Guardiola told reporters that the defender was set for another spell on the sidelines which will rule him out of some key fixtures including Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Aston Villa at Wembley Stadium.
"He has a hamstring injury. Three weeks out more or less - a month. Unfortunately, this happens after four or five months out. Life is not easy and always in the world the people who survive are the ones who cope with the bad moments. It is what it is. Accept it, work hard to come back as soon as possible."
Laporte has already missed almost five months of the season with a serious knee injury. He returned to action at the end of January against Sheffield United but was forced off on just his fourth appearance since making his comeback in the first half of City's 2-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Opta highlighted his importance to Manchester City:
88 - Since the start of 2018-19, Manchester City have conceded a goal every 88 minutes on average in the Premier League when Aymeric Laporte hasn't been on the pitch (including injury time), compared to a goal every 158 minutes when he has been playing. Blow. pic.twitter.com/7yjikr7VEe
The 25-year-old's latest setback also means he will miss Premier League games against Manchester United and Burnley as well as the FA Cup fifth-round clash against Sheffield United. He also faces a race against time to be fit for the second leg of their last-16 tie against Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City will also be without Benjamin Mendy for the tie against Los Blancos. The defender will serve a one-game suspension after picking up his third booking of the tournament at the Bernabeu.
Fernandinho replaced Laporte against Real Madrid and could continue in defence during his absence. The Brazilian holding midfielder has featured regularly in the Manchester City backline in 2019-20 and has impressed:
Fernandinho has made more tackles (37) and blocks (11) than any other Manchester City player this season.
Laporte's injury will test Guardiola and Manchester City at an important part of the season. The club have looked vulnerable in defence in 2019-20 and have already conceded more Premier League goals than they did in the whole of last season.
Manchester City's priority for the rest of the campaign will be to land a maiden Champions League trophy. Guardiola's side have put themselves in a strong position to reach the quarter-finals but will need Laporte fit and available if they are to be crowned European champions.
Carles Puyol Says He's 'Convinced' Pep Guardiola Will Win Champions League Again
Feb 28, 2020
MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 26: Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City reacts during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Real Madrid and Manchester City at Bernabeu on February 26, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Mateo Villalba/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Barcelona legend Carles Puyol has said he believes Pep Guardiola will win another UEFA Champions League in the future.
The former Blaugrana captain, who played under the Manchester City coach at the Camp Nou, told SPOX and Martin Volkmar of Goal he thinks Guardiola is destined to conquer Europe's biggest club competition once again after capturing the title twice as Barca coach:
"For me, Pep is the best coach I had and the best coach in the world.
"You can immediately tell that a team is coached by Pep by the way it plays. That's why I'm convinced he will win that title again.
"I can't say whether it will be with Manchester City, but they will focus a lot on that competition as it is practically impossible to catch Liverpool in the Premier League."
MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 26: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) head coach Zinedine Zidane of Real Madrid and head coach Pep Guardiola of Manchester City gestures during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Real Madrid and Manchester City at Bern
City shocked Real Madrid 2-1 on Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, handing the Premier League champions a precious advantage in their quest to make the quarter-finals.
Guardiola's tactics outfoxed Zinedine Zidane in the Spanish capital, and Real were picked apart by the English side.
City are preparing to serve a two-year ban from European competition from next season, limiting Guardiola's opportunity of lifting the European Cup in the short term. However, the Manchester club are appealing their exclusion and could have their punishment reduced or overturned.
Guardiola said City's impeding ban will not make him look elsewhere to win honours, and he wants to stay at the Etihad Stadium, per Sky Sports' Soccer AM:
City have stumbled in the Champions League over the past decade and have struggled to navigate through the knockout rounds. The club reached the last four in 2015-16 but have underperformed during campaigns of high hopes in Europe.
However, this season represents an excellent opportunity for Guardiola and City. With the Premier League title race all but run, and with the Sky Blues 16 points clear of fifth, the English champions can immediately throw all of their resources and endeavour at capturing their first Champions League crown.
Pep Guardiola Cautious of Real Madrid UCL Comeback, Talks 10 Days of Planning
Feb 27, 2020
MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 26: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City shakes hands with Zinedine Zidane, Manager of Real Madrid prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Real Madrid and Manchester City at Bernabeu on February 26, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says Real Madrid are capable of a second-leg turnaround after his side came from behind to win 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. He also said a meticulous 10 days of planning helped seal a historic win for his club.
Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne each scored in the final 12 minutes of their UEFA Champions League last-16 clash in Madrid where Isco had put the hosts ahead after an hour.
The two teams reconvene at the Etihad Stadium on March 17, and Guardiola told reporters Zinedine Zidane's side—who won three straight European crowns between 2016 and 2018—are capable of a comeback. Asked whether the two-legged tie was over, he replied:
"No. If there's a team that can come back against anything, it's Real Madrid.
"We conceded a goal when we were the better team, and then we scored when they were the better team. But the Champions League is like this: ups and downs.
"[Thibaut] Courtois was immense. It's a good result because we scored two goals. We've won nothing, but winning at the Bernabeu is very satisfying, because we're not used to these things."
Vinicius Jr. teed up Isco to break the deadlock, but De Bruyne showed great composure to find Jesus inside the box for City's first (U.S. viewers only):
Raheem Sterling—who had been injured prior to the first leg—came on and won the deciding penalty in the 82nd minute. De Bruyne converted, and Real's hopes of advancing diminished further after captain Sergio Ramos was shown a late red card (U.S. viewers only):
Ajax knocked Los Blancos out of the Champions League at this stage of the competition last year, while City are targeting their third consecutive run to the quarter-finals.
Guardiola's tactics and personnel selection appeared to set his side up in a more defensive manner, with Sergio Aguero benched in favour of the more workmanlike Jesus. He spoke about his research and strategising ahead of the clash, per James Robson of the Evening Standard:
"We had 10 free days, and in those days I watched the most amount of matches of Real Madrid, their defensive game was different. That's why we changed, the space was to attack, but never since I've been a coach have I gone to defend.
"Maybe I provide too much information. I have to know the opponents, they press a lot. They did that in the Camp Nou, and I thought they'd do it at home. They steal the balls and make passes, you see after conceding the goal, you have to protect."
The heat map of Jesus showed the striker stuck largely to the left wing and was a big factor in defence, while winger Bernardo Silva roamed, sometimes as a less conventional frontman, per WhoScored.com.
Spanish football writer Guillem Balague remarked upon Guardiola's efforts to exploit the wide areas using Jesus in an altered role:
they defend so well when the ball in front of them and worst when they have to defend wide attacks. Hence him asking Jesus, who is one of the top strikers in the world without the ball, to play wide.
The Athletic's Sam Lee praised the level of research conducted by the Citizens boss, whose side became the first English team to win at the Bernabeu since Liverpool in February 2009:
Odd for Guardiola to admit so much about the behind-the-scenes preparation in a press conference, but very welcome all the same. This is a great example of how much work he puts into analysis of the opponent (too much? 😉) https://t.co/GfyqM0je9y
Zidane finds himself in an unfamiliar position with his side chasing the game following the home leg. Real have only one win from their last five games across all competitions and have now lost their last two in a row.
Guardiola emerged as victor in the first competitive meeting between the pair as managers, but City's coach remains wary of succumbing to a comeback himself when the two teams clash again in three weeks.
Pep Guardiola: Manchester City 'Can Get Through' After Aymeric Laporte Injury
Feb 26, 2020
MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 26: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Aymeric Laporte of Manchester City looks dejected during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Real Madrid and Manchester City at Bernabeu on February 26, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alejandro Rios/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Pep Guardiola isn't overly worried about Aymeric Laporte's latest injury or its impact on Manchester City's defensive depth. Instead, he believes his squad still has enough options at the back to negotiate a demanding upcoming run of fixtures, both domestically and in Europe.
Laporte limped off 33 minutes into the Citizens' 2-1 win away to Real Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League last 16 on Wednesday. It's another setback for the centre-back, who missed nearly five months of the season after undergoing knee surgery.
Guardiola spoke about how City will cope without their talisman at the back, per Charlotte Duncker of the Manchester Evening News: "He's injured. He's had four or five months and it's a problem when you come back, and he came back in this demanding game and we wanted him to be fit to the end. With John (Stones), Nico (Otamendi), Eric (Garcia), Ferna [Fernandinho], we can get through."
Guardiola's confidence is refreshing, but there is no doubt Laporte's injury comes at an inopportune moment during City's season. Sunday's 2020 Carabao Cup final against Aston Villa at Wembley is up next, with the second leg against Real set for March 17.
In between, the Citizens are away to Sheffield United in the FA Cup fifth round on Tuesday. There are also Premier League games away to derby rivals Manchester United and at home to Burnley.
It's far from the ideal time for Guardiola to potentially be without the best defender in the squad, although details on the extent of Laporte's problem are not yet known.
ON THIS DAY: In 2018, Manchester City signed Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Bilbao for £57m.
The former Athletic Bilbao man offered a reminder of his value when he returned to the lineup for the 1-0 win away to Sheffield United on January 21. Laporte also started when West Ham United were beaten 2-0 and played 58 minutes of Saturday's 1-0 victory away to Leicester City.
The 25-year-old was withdrawn against the Foxes as a precautionary measure, per Press Association (h/t MailOnline).
Caution is something City can afford to take with Laporte's latest injury, provided Fernandinho continues to play as well as he did in the Spanish capital. The converted holding midfielder was magnificent at the Santiago Bernabeu, timing his tackles flawlessly and making several crucial last-ditch blocks.
The Brazilian has been Guardiola's most common choice to fill in for Laporte amid the struggles experienced by Stones and Otamendi. The latter was at fault for Isco's goal in Madrid, while Stones was completely overlooked in his manager's plans for a significant fixture:
John Stones the big casualty tonight: not even on the bench...
While Fernandinho can excel in relief, his aggressiveness, positional sense and efficient distribution can be missed at the base of midfield. Guardiola may be best served getting 19-year-old Garcia more starting experience.
The Spaniard has already proved he can handle the pace of play in England's top flight when he delivered a fine cameo after replacing Laporte late on against the Blades.
Whichever players and formations he chooses, Guardiola needs to fortify a defence vulnerable at key moments this season. Conceding 29 times in the Premier League has helped wreck City's title defence, while an elusive European trophy can only be captured from a secure base.
