Can Pep Guardiola Trust Julian Alvarez to Dominate Midfield Against Tough Opponents?

Manchester City is experiencing a half-empty glass scenario with three consecutive winless games but the results are rather a slight hitch, considering they were up against giant teams like Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur. The dropped six points could loom large for City come season end. In these matches, they have suffered missed scoring opportunities and late goals. While City have been dominant, they failed to put these matches to bed. It begs the question of whether Pep Guardiola has got his balance right, particularly with young star Julian Alvarez.

Alvarez’s rise to success over the past year has made him nearly irreplaceable. In the absence of Kevin De Bruyne, he’s excelled as an attacking No 8. But in big games, when City needs control, his role has been the subject of speculation. The team is lacking in midfield options this season, making their play erratic. Guardiola’s switch-up of Alvarez and Bernardo Silva’s positions in the game against Tottenham was surprising, which hindered City’s threat from the flanks.

City looked disjointed and was less effective with their usual threat out wide being eliminated. Decisiveness was lacking on the right side, and the freedom to push forward was noticeable especially when Alvarez played on the left. These tactics are a departure from Guardiola’s traditional style but could provide more directness in certain situations against specific opposition. Particularly frustrating was the cheap turnover from Alvarez, which led to Tottenham’s second goal.

In matches against significant opposition, Guardiola might need to reconsider his tactics to get the best out of his team. The pressuring, set-piece expertise, and goal threat of Alvarez are valuable, but his lack of positional discipline and reliable passing could be costly in big matches. So Guardiola has to think more cautiously as they prepare to face Aston Villa in the coming week, aiming to avoid any more slips like the ones they’ve suffered recently.

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Michael Johnson

Michael Johnson is your soccer guru, providing extensive coverage of soccer. With a global perspective, he delivers match reports, player interviews, and insights into the beautiful game, ensuring readers stay connected to the world of soccer.