“Without Rodri, we lose this power”- Manchester City’s manager Pep Guardiolla sheds light on Manchester City’s defensive vulnerabilities

Manchester City are currently sitting at second place on the Premier League table, however, they haven’t been at their usual best this season. The City’s problem in defence has been a cause of concern. It is to be noted that teams such as Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest have let in fewer goals than Manchester City this season. City’s rivals, Liverpool and Arsenal, on the other hand, have only conceded two and six goals, respectively. Manchester City beat Chelsea 2-0 in their first league game of the season and they haven’t been able to keep a clean sheet since. There is no denying that the team is missing Rodri, who is their key figure in defence. He has been ruled out of the season due to an injury. However, City’s manager Pep Guardiola feels that it would be too harsh to pick out Rodri’s unavailability as the sole reason. 

“I think it’s too easy to say this analysis. With Rodri, we drew two games, without him, we won all the games this season.” Pep said. 

“If it’s one player who makes all the time, a mistake, a mistake, a mistake, next game, he’s not going to play, it’s simple. We have a business, we have to perform well. But it is not the case.” he added.

“We have to live without him”- Pep Guardiola on Rodri

Pep highlighted Rodri’s brilliance in defence but accepted that the team needs to come up with better performance without him.

“Maybe we have to reflect on the goals, how is it, normally, it’s in transition, in set-pieces, because without Rodri, we lose this power because he’s another guy, he’s so strong in this position.”

“But we have to live without him and see what we can do with the ball. So yeah, we’ll talk, we’ll see, we’ll reflect on what we miss to be more consistent.”

Meanwhile, Manchester City’s arch-rivals and title contenders, Liverpool and Arsenal, have shown far greater defensive solidity. Liverpool has conceded just two goals, while Arsenal has allowed six. As for Manchester City, they have only had one clean sheet in seven matches this season.