Manchester City, a team once hailed as invincible, has experienced a dramatic decline over the past year. A mere 12 months ago, they were at the pinnacle of football, holding titles across the Champions League, Premier League, Club World Cup, FA Cup, and UEFA Super Cup. Today, they find themselves grappling with one of the most profound collapses in modern football history.
The current downturn is startling, characterized by a series of defeats and a team that appears to have lost its identity. Previously a dominant force capable of overwhelming opponents, City now resembles a shadow of its former self. Their possession-based style, once a hallmark of control and creativity, now feels lifeless and uninspired.
Several factors contribute to this decline. At the forefront is the absence of Rodri, whose injury has disrupted the team’s structure. As the linchpin of Guardiola’s midfield, Rodri’s role is crucial for maintaining control and facilitating transitions. Without him, the team has struggled to adapt, forcing players into roles outside their comfort zones. The ripple effect has been felt across the pitch, with key areas of the team exposed and vulnerable.
Beyond injuries, there are broader, systemic issues. The introduction of Erling Haaland, while initially celebrated, has raised questions about the team’s tactical cohesion. Haaland, a prolific scorer, has not seamlessly integrated into Guardiola’s intricate passing system. His style, focused on finishing rather than build-up play, has inadvertently disrupted the rhythm that previously defined City’s success. Surprisingly, the team has scored fewer goals on average since his arrival, raising doubts about the long-term impact of his inclusion.
This tactical shift has also placed additional strain on the midfield. Haaland’s limited involvement in possession has created gaps that opponents have exploited. The team’s aging midfielders, once adept at controlling games, now appear overstretched and vulnerable to dynamic ball carriers. This fragility has been a recurring theme in City’s recent performances, highlighting a lack of adaptability in their approach.
Managerial factors cannot be overlooked. Guardiola, known for his intensity and meticulousness, appears to be grappling with the limits of his influence. The energy and connection that once defined his relationship with the players seem to have waned. Speculation about his physical and mental state has added to the narrative of a coach struggling to inspire a team that has achieved it all. His declaration of having “nothing else to win” after last season’s triumph now feels like a self-fulfilling prophecy.
The lack of impactful signings in recent years has further compounded the issue. While players like Josko Gvardiol have shown promise, the team has not undergone the necessary rejuvenation to sustain its dominance. The reliance on a core group of players has led to stagnation, with few new arrivals capable of reshaping the team’s dynamics.
City’s struggles are also psychological. The weight of their past success, coupled with external pressures such as ongoing financial investigations, may have taken a toll. While footballers are trained to focus on the immediate task, the uncertainty surrounding the club’s future cannot be ignored. Such distractions, combined with the physical and tactical challenges on the pitch, have created a perfect storm of decline.
As City prepares for the rest of the season, the path forward is unclear. The team must address its tactical vulnerabilities, find ways to integrate its star players more effectively, and rebuild the connection between the manager and the squad. The challenges are significant, but for a team that once reached the pinnacle of football, the capacity for resurgence remains. The question is whether they can rediscover the hunger and cohesion that once made them the best in the world.
