Following their 3-2 win over Fulham yesterday Manchester City will enter the international break undefeated in all competitions. That in itself is an impressive start to the season. But despite being unbeaten the world champions have seen some of their frailties exposed. But is that a sign of Pep Guardiola’s side easing their way into the season, or is it a sign of a flaw in the champion’s makeup? That answer will be known in the coming months.
To their credit, Fulham gave Manchester City the fright of their lives at the Etihad yesterday. Marco Silva’s side came to the home of the champions with a gameplan. They sat deep and looked to hit City on the counter. This tactic being employed against Manchester City isn’t new. Inter Milan, Arsenal and Newcastle have all employed a similar tactic against Pep Guardiola’s side. But what Fulham did was create clear-cut chances. If it wasn’t for Ederson’s heroics and the wastefulness of Adama Traore in front of goal perhaps yesterday’s result could’ve been different.
Fulham got at Manchester City down City’s right-hand side. Newcastle, the week before, got at City down City’s left. The pace of Adama Traore gave the champions fits over 90 minutes yesterday. Even the introduction of Kyle Walker couldn’t contain Traore. But it’s clear that Manchester City are vulnerable to swift counterattacks. That isn’t new. But it seems to be a bigger issue so far this season. It’s something that must be rectified sooner rather than later. It will likely require a subtle tactical tweak from Pep Guardiola to stabilise City’s susceptibility to the break.
Speaking after yesterday’s game Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Fulham. He believed that Marco Silva’s side deserved praise for their performance rather than focus on his team’s frailties. Although he did acknowledge that his team does need to improve defensively. Guardiola said post-game: “Except for Mbeumo in the first minute (versus Brentford), the other games we were playing really well when we conceded. It’s not nice to [have to] come back, but we create chances to go 1-0 or 2-0 in every single game. Sometimes I give credit. The first goal – who expected Jimenez to do this incredible touch? Why not give credit to them more than it be defensively bad? There are actions you have to defend, better but step by step we will improve.”
But despite not being at their best in recent weeks Manchester City are still unbeaten to begin the 24/25 season. That is a big positive to take out of yesterday’s game. There is still room for improvement for Pep Guardiola’s team. That isn’t the worst thing as City tend to be at their best later on the season than the beginning. The hope is that they can improve in the coming weeks starting after the upcoming international break.