Premier League 2021/2022

[Temptation]

Lukaku esque touch by Haaland there.

 

[KingLeo10]

50:50

I was wrong about the league
I was 100% accurate about a CL

From now on, it might be even easier

I always agreed with you regarding the CL, by the way. He's just not an elite CL manager (without a historically great squad)

 

[xXKonan]

Jack Grealish does a lot of nothing really.

Can't believe City spent that much money on him.

 

[BBZ8800]

What is his record vs top teams in Premier League? It must be good.

Irrelevant.

It is the mental thing.
Even if you lose against Liverpool in October, you'll win against Watford in the next round and fix that.

On the other hand, in CL KO matches, his players are like Barca's.
Extremely nice, humble and fragile.

The same as Barca.
In league, we'll win against Atletico for 10 times in a row.
But pair us against them in CL quarters and AM are 80:20 favorites.

That's fear of pressure/sudden death/being KO'd tonight compared to a league where there is always "more time to compensate for defeats".

 

[Catta]

They never replaced Ferran. He is the missing link.

 

[BBZ8800]

They've lost the fluidity and numerical superiorities they had with the false 9. Part of their dominance was their attack being so active and versatile, and contributing to buildup and holding possession.

With a focal point 9 like Haaland, who doesn't move much/support the midfield, if he can't get service & isn't scoring goals, their attack becomes stagnant. He's hardly had a touch.

It's a much more coinflippy City than we've ever seen now for sure. Way less robotic and mechanical.

Agreed

This looks like Barca with Zlatan versus Barca from 2011

 

[ajnotkeith]

Also, playing Grealish and Mahrez on the wings accompanying a 9 like Haaland makes no sense. Both of them like to cut in and shoot but no width to get down the wing and cross the ball, stretch the backline. But Pep has no options for that after Sterling's left.

They have to replace him properly.

 

[mc_lovin]

City wasn't very good, but the last 20-30 minutes were all them.

 

[ajnotkeith]

They replaced Jesus with Alvarez, no?

Sterling is a loss for his profile alone.

Jesus is a top level player and will show it at Arsenal I think. Much more than just Pep's system player. Idk if Alvarez will replace his quality.

 

[Catta]

Sterling is missed, he brought pace to the wings, something Mahrez and Grealish are unable to do. You can't do it in modern football without at least one pacey winger.

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

I always agreed with you regarding the CL, by the way. He's just not an elite CL manager (without a historically great squad)

To be fair he had also a lot of bad luck

 

[snowy]

Preparation H 2 score a hattrick with his butt n dance da mapouka

Peptobismol is missing 'em Ivory Vibes

 

[mc_lovin]

Sterling is missed, he brought pace to the wings, something Mahrez and Grealish are unable to do. You can't do it in modern football without at least one pacey winger.

City do pretty well to be fair

But I can't enjoy Pep's City. Much happier with Xavi's approach in general.

 

[fergus90]

Mahrez in general is a frustrating player. Technically top drawer but quite often holds on to the ball too long.

 

[xXKonan]

Mahrez is frustrating but he does still have use for Pep.

Grealish on the other hand, was excellent for Villa, but looks out of place at City. Just doesn't offer anything more to what they already have.