‘I give you this week to pack your things and leave ‘: Manchester City Manger Pep Guardiola has officially told £60m City star to leave this week or His contract will be terminated
Manchester City suffered a significant setback in their Premier League campaign, losing 2-0 to Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium. The visitors took the lead through Brennan Johnson’s clinical finish in the 35th minute, which was initially disallowed for offside but awarded after a VAR review. Tottenham doubled their advantage just before halftime when James Trafford’s poor pass found Richarlison, who set up Joao Palhinha to score.
*Key Issues for Manchester City:*
– *Defensive Errors*: Trafford’s mistake led to the second goal, highlighting concerns about the team’s defensive solidity. City’s defenders struggled to contain Tottenham’s attack, particularly down the left side where Richarlison proved a thorn in their side.
– *Inconsistent Performance*: Manchester City’s display was inconsistent, with the team failing to replicate the form that saw them thrash Wolves 4-0 in their opening match. Pep Guardiola’s side looked disjointed, and the new signings, including Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders, failed to make a significant impact.
*Tactical Approach:*
– *Spurs’ High Press*: Thomas Frank’s tactical approach paid off, as his team exploited City’s weaknesses and caught them off guard with swift counterattacks. Spurs’ high press and direct approach caused City problems, particularly in the first half.
– *City’s Struggles*: Manchester City struggled to create clear-cut chances, with Erling Haaland and Phil Foden failing to make a significant impact. The team’s attacking play was disjointed, and they were unable to capitalize on their possession.
*Post-Match Reaction:*
– *Guardiola’s Assessment*: Guardiola acknowledged that his team needs to work on their consistency and ability to perform at a high level week in, week out. He also praised James Trafford’s debut, despite the goalkeeper’s error leading to the second goal.
– *Frank’s Praise*: Thomas Frank was delighted with his team’s performance, praising their mentality and defensive solidity. He highlighted the importance of winning away games and the significance of this victory for the team’s confidence.¹ ²
