Guardiola’s big mistake at Man City revealed

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By: Manu Tournoux

For several weeks, Manchester City has shown signs of weakness, accumulating poor performances on the national and European scene. The defeat against Juventus in the Champions League (0-2) in midweek only increased the pressure on Pep Guardiola, accused of poor management.

The choice to sell Julian Alvarez to Atlético Madrid last summer became a target of criticism, particularly in Italy. According to Paolo Di Canio, consultant for Sky Italia, Guardiola’s decision not to replace the 2022 world champion has left a major void in the Sky Blues’ attack. The Argentinian, sold for 90 million euros, had nevertheless shown valuable qualities: movements, decisive passes, and realism in front of goal.

An offensive void difficult to fill

Paolo Di Canio does not hesitate to describe this decision as “serious error”. According to him, Guardiola would have assumed the ability of his current players to take over. He favored internal solutions rather than recruiting a replacement. This strategy proved ineffective, significantly weakening the team in key moments.

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Guardiola should not have released Alvarez.

Other observers also point to the lack of depth in City’s attacking squad. With such a demanding schedule, the absence of an alternative to Haaland or Foden becomes a real handicap.

Guardiola faces pressure

Pep Guardiola, used to resisting criticism, is today faced with an unprecedented wave of criticism. The Catalan coach, known for his perfectionism, is under pressure to find solutions quickly. An error of judgment like that concerning Julian Alvarez could be costly, not only in terms of results, but also for his image as an outstanding strategist.

With the Manchester derby in his sights, Guardiola will have to prove that he can still raise the bar and justify his strategic choices.