5 solutions to the problem of the Blue Sails through the crisis
It is a rather alarming situation for Manchester City fans as the four-time Premier League champions are seriously losing their cool, both in terms of their performance on the pitch and their disappointing results.

Man City have not won in 6 consecutive games, for 1 month. Moreover, the previous 5 games without winning were consecutive losses, which is the first time in Pep Guardiola ‘s professional coaching career . In addition, the latest draw was a painful draw because the score was 3-0, but lost and was tied 3-3.
The สมัคร ufabet body language of Pep and his City players clearly showed the stress and pressure they were under. Losing confidence affected their performance and in turn, made them lose confidence even more.
The point that Pep admitted to the media during the team’s losing streak was that Man City had defensive problems and were not able to control the game as well as they should have, which was the team’s strength all along.
The official website of the English Premier League , by journalist Alex Cable, therefore wrote an article analyzing the problem and suggesting 5 solutions so that the Sky Blues can overcome this crisis as follows.
Move Akanji to position number 6.
City’s recent problems have been that they allow their opponents more access to the penalty area, they struggle to counter-press and they are unable to stop their opponents’ quick counter-attacks.
Comparing the statistics of the last 5 seasons, when counterattacked, the opponent has an average chance of finishing the score per match of 0.3-0.7 in the previous 4 seasons, but this season, the opponent has an average chance of finishing the score per match of 1.2.
The team’s biggest problem right now is the absence of Rodri, who is not in perfect physical condition. When he still can’t return to control the midfield, Pep must find a suitable number 6 to replace him first.
In the past, he tried using Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic, but they didn’t meet the criteria.
The Premier League is considering Manuel Akanji, who has the power and aggression to win the ball back to take the advantage again.
Pep has used Akanji in this position before but has not trusted him since the 3-3 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in December last year.
Maybe it’s time to rethink that idea.
Elevate your pressing game
City’s pressing game has really dropped, especially when losing the ball. Traditionally, when the ball is lost to the opposition, City players will rush in to press and win the ball back.
Statistics confirm that City are currently bottom of the league for losing the ball when pressed (211 times), total counter-pressing (512 times) and midfield counter-pressing (183 times).
In the past, when City lost the ball, they would rush to press and win the ball back from every position on the pitch to stop the opponent’s counter-attack. Leading to superior control of the game.
But the current counter-pressing statistics have once again highlighted City’s midfield problems, which are not easy to solve. One is the relatively high average age of the players – for example, in the 4-0 defeat at Spurs, out of the 14 players who played, nine were at least 29 years old.
Adjust wing positions and attacking plans
It’s not just the defensive issues that are a problem. City’s attacking game is also not as effective as before, especially in the final third of the opposition’s half.
One issue is the lack of creativity on both flanks, with Pep often favouring the wingers to dribble into the middle to support Erling Haaland, leaving full-backs Kyle Walker and Josko Gvardiol to take charge on the left and right flanks.
Interestingly, during the five consecutive losing games. Pep has used three different wingers and none of them seem to work.
One of the problems that makes using the wingers less effective is the problem of injuries. When there is no creativity from both sides. The number of goals scored is reduced.
The solution may be to revert to a classic winger style that plays purely on the wings, not as often as Pep likes to do lately, with a midfielder to support them. City used to have a number of outstanding attacking positions, one reason they scored so many goals was from their wing play that created opportunities to score.
The Premier League website suggests a winger pairing between Savinho, Jeremy Doku, and Jack Grealish, especially Grealish who should be able to reduce the speed of the game or draw fouls well. Then, the number 8 with Akanji standing behind to support and coordinate should help the team’s attacking game improve.
Rico Lewis is deployed at right-back.
In the last two seasons, Pep has sold many creative full-backs and opted to strengthen the team in the center position.
The left side is still not a problem. Guardiola has scored 3 goals in the league. The second-highest record for the team. He is also the third-highest in creating chances (18) and has the highest number of passes (113).
But at right-back, Walker has problems in attacking play. While the team’s young star , Rico Lewis, is used more as a central midfielder.
The Premier League website suggests trying out Lewis as a right-back. Which could help with creativity and bring back the agile and versatile attacking play of the past, especially if Kevin De Bruyne is fit again.
Let’s give Haaland a rest.
There is no denying Haaland’s goalscoring ability. But using him effectively will require City to change their playing style quite a bit.
Haaland averages 19.8 touches per game. Meaning he is less involved in the game and has less possession, waiting to score.
However, since the end of September, Haaland has scored just two goals from an Expected Goals (xG) stat of 6.0.
An interesting solution would be to rest the Norwegian and use Phil Foden as a false nine. The absence of Haaland, who has scored 12 league goals, or 55 per cent of the team’s goals. Would also force other players to step up their attacking game.
In case the old city style that many people are familiar with returns. It will help to resolve the current situation in a positive way, to some extent.