In a surprising turn of events, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola found himself under scrutiny following the team’s 3-2 win over Fulham this past Saturday. Despite his normally impeccable decision-making, Guardiola’s actions during the match raised questions as he rolled his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief at full-time, indicating the intense nature of the game.
The decision to start Rico Lewis, City’s standout player this season, in a settled back four seemed like a logical choice on the surface. Lewis had been crucial in filling the void left by Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne, seamlessly transitioning between different positions on the field and providing valuable support wherever needed.
However, it soon became apparent that using Lewis as a right-back with attacking responsibilities had its drawbacks. Traore managed to exploit this tactical move, breaking free from Lewis and scoring Fulham’s opening goal, highlighting the limitations of deploying a full-back as an additional attacker.
Despite the setback, City managed to equalize before halftime, with Guardiola delivering a final team talk and opting to keep Lewis on the pitch. The second half began with City taking the lead early on, but Guardiola remained unsettled, frequently consulting with assistant Juanma Lillo on how to regain control of the game.
As the match progressed, Guardiola’s decision to persist with Lewis in an attacking role came under scrutiny. With Fulham pressing forward and threatening City’s defense, Guardiola’s choice to leave Lewis exposed at the back seemed risky, especially when Traore managed to breach the defense once again, leading to more chances for the opponents.
In the end, City managed to secure a narrow victory, but Guardiola’s tactical decisions and Lewis’ role in the team’s defense will undoubtedly be topics of discussion in the days to come. As Guardiola reflected on the match, he acknowledged the challenges faced and the need to reassess certain strategies moving forward.
The intrigue surrounding Guardiola’s tactics and Lewis’ performance only adds to the drama of Manchester City’s season, with fans and analysts alike eagerly anticipating how the team will adapt in future matches. Guardiola may not often make mistakes, but the events of this particular game certainly gave critics something to ponder.