LONDON • So much has changed for Manchester City in the space of a week.
Two rounds of matches and two defeats later, a one-point gap has turned into a sizeable seven-point lead for Liverpool (51 points) over the Premier League champions.
And should City continue their downward spiral at revitalised Southampton on Sunday, their title defence could be over by the time they welcome the buoyant Reds to the Etihad Stadium next Thursday.
While it is not in Pep Guardiola's psyche to panic, even with his side faltering as the title race picks up pace at the halfway mark, the manager would have recognised the need to sharpen up fast.
He acknowledged that uncertainty had crept into the minds of his players after the 2-1 loss at Leicester on Wednesday, their third defeat in four league games.
He told Sky Sports: "The fact is we lost three in four, and the last two, and if you want to be real contenders, we have to win again.
"As soon as possible, we have to try to win again for our mood, our confidence and our desire. You have to be confident to play and to come back."
CITY'S WIN RATE WITH FERNANDINHO - 71.3%
WITHOUT FERNANDINHOÂ - 59.3%
The Spaniard admitted he had to "change the dynamic" in his team as Liverpool and Tottenham (45 points), who have leapfrogged City into second, were now "better than us at the moment".
He said: "You have to accept it, and it's important to accept where we are and they are improving.
"The reality is there are two or three teams better than us. We're not talking about whether we can get to (the level of) Liverpool, the issue is about winning another game, and thinking in ourselves about how we can improve."
While he still retains faith in "how exceptional the lads are in the locker room", he knows they face the greatest test of their character in the coming week.
"Good results make miracles in the mind. Now there will be doubts, and what you have to do is try to put in a good performance. But we are able to do that. I never doubt them. I don't forget who we are, how good we are," the City manager added.
However, he is also well aware his defence lacks a real shield in the absence of Fernandinho, who missed his second straight league game with knee trouble and remains a doubt this weekend.
City do not have a natural replacement for the Brazilian enforcer, which was why he was so desperate to land Jorginho, who eventually moved to Chelsea in the summer.
Without Fernandinho, their win percentage drops to 59.3 from 71.3.
Sky Sports pundit Steve Sidwell believes no other City player can perform the same role, although the former Fulham midfielder also felt the rest of the team were not pulling their weight.
He said: "Fernandinho does a lot of work there. But I think it's down to a lack of mentality that Pep Guardiola will not be happy about.
"Look at the results they've lost there, Crystal Palace and Leicester, and they'll be very disappointed with (the) Palace (loss) having been at home as well."
Another problem area for City is at left-back, where first-choice Benjamin Mendy is not expected to return from injury until at least February.
His replacement Fabian Delph was sent off at the King Power Stadium and he will miss the Saints and Reds games owing to a three-game ban. That leaves Oleksandr Zinchenko or Aymeric Laporte there and they are far from ideal options in that position.
However, Sidwell refused to rule City out of the title race despite their poor run, backing them to turn things around with "the quality they have got".
He added: "If there's one team, when you're top, who you don't want to be chasing you, then it's going to be this City team.
"The depth of squad they've got, they can go out and win games convincingly."
REUTERS, THE GUARDIAN, THE TIMES, LONDON
BENGALURU: Cardiff City chairman Mehmet Dalman has said the club will pay the 15 million pound (US$19 million) transfer fee to Nantes for Emiliano Sala "if contractually obliged".
Emiliano Sala: Deadline for Cardiff City to make payment
PARIS (Reuters) - Edinson Cavani is a major doubt for Paris St Germain's Champions League clash with Manchester United after picking up a thigh injury in his team's 1-0 Ligue 1 win over Girondins de Bordeaux on Saturday. The Uruguay striker left the pitch on the stroke of halftime holding his thigh
Soccer: PSG's Cavani doubtful for Man United game - Reuters
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has an incredible relationship with Manchester United's players, according to midfielder Ander Herrera, although the 29-year-old also insists Jose Mourinho made him a better
Why Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could keep the Man Utd job
The 2019-20 season is Tottenham Hotspur's 28th season in the Premier League and 42nd successive season in the top division of the English football league system.Along with the Premier League, the club competes in the FA Cup and the EFL Cup.
Football: Tottenham Hotspur to play in Singapore in July pre
Manchester City will face Brighton in the semi-finals of this year's FA Cup as Pep Guardiola's quest for the quadruple marches on. The other semi-final will see Watford take on Wolves.
Manchester City to face Brighton in FA Cup semi-final
Hougang United v Balestier Khalsa Live'StReam!! Short Preview The neighbours in a tournament table will play in a very interesting match (ranked 3 and 5). Hougang United is in actual amazing shape (in the last 5 games wins - 3).
Chonburi News, Scores, Schedule, Stats, Teamsheet - soccer
Juventus achieved objective, despite everything going wrong
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on June 09, 2019, with the headline 'Ozil courts controversy again'.
Chaser Courts Controversy Again - YouTube
Football: Sacked Puel says it was an 'honour' to manage
Football: Singapore national team caretaker coach Nazri Nasir proud despite loss - The Straits Times; High imports from China push up Singapore light distillate stocks - Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide
Singapore national football team - Wikipedia
The Tunisian side were leading 1-0 in the second leg of the final and 2-1 overall when play was halted, and after a 90-minute delay the referee awarded the match to the home side.
Tunisian club win African title after final abandoned over VAR
FOOTBALL NEWS. News home page Wolves deepen Cardiff's relegation plight with 2-0 win. March 02, 2019 Desperate for a win to help their quest for Premier
Soccer: Wolves deepen Cardiff's relegation plight with 2-0 win
Mauricio Pochettino has announced that Spurs' appeal against Heung Min Son's red card has been rejected. This comes after the South Korean was handed his marching orders for a push on Jefferson Lerma last week in the Premier League.
Son Heung-min: 'I miss White Hart Lane but the new stadium is
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen