Perhaps it was always supposed to be this way. Having battled for years and largely won against Jürgen Klopp, the man Pep Guardiola called the greatest rival of his career, it will instead be against the past and present of Klopp’s successor, Arne Slot, that the very worst time of the Spanish boss’ managerial reign will be tested.
By Karl Matchett
Man City have swept all before them for years, yet enter an important, if far from decisive, Champions League match badly needing a result to end five straight defeats in all competitions. The week ahead brings Feyenoord and then Liverpool, and results in both are required to stave off talk that the team has reached the end of its era…as well as capacity to win trophies this very season.
The worst form of Guardiola’s career
Well, five losses in a row – bad for anyone, unheard of for Man City. That said, their five matches beforehand were all victories; this might be the worst run of all time as far as Guardiola is concerned, but they have not suddenly lost every footballer of any ability. In another world, even as recently as this past weekend, Erling Haaland buries one of his two early chances and the match against Tottenham goes a completely different way. Conceding chances is the bigger issue for the Premier League team, with the midfield lacking structure and the defensive line looking weak, reactive and lacking in mobility of late.
For Feyenoord, they’ve won two and lost two in Europe this term; perhaps more notably, they have won three in a row domestically but lost their last big test, a home meeting with Ajax. Too many draws hampered their title aspirations last season under Slot and so far the same is true under Brian Priske.
Team news
Rodri remains the big absentee for City and Mateo Kovačić has proven a similarly massive loss, with City lacking any natural sitting option with the positional know-how and discipline to protect a creaky back line. Oscar Bobb, Jérémy Doku and Rúben Dias are also out.
Feyenoord are missing a host of their own players too though, including star striker Santiago Giménez, left-back Hugo Bueno, goalkeeper Justin Bijlow, Dutch U21 starlet Quilindschy Hartman and forward Ayase Ueda. Chris-Kevin Nadje is also suspended and midfielder Quinten Timber is a doubt.
Potential heroes
Matheus Nunes isn’t entrusted with much domestic action but he has played three of four in the Champions League and has a goal and two assists. He might be restored to central midfield rather than the attacking support line, but on a per-90 basis in Europe this term he’s in the 95th percentile of players for successful dribbles, 92nd for chances created…and top of all for touches in the box. City could do with a few of those being made with composure and accuracy to get back to winning ways.
Feyenoord’s Timon Wellenreuther is making three saves per 90 on average in this competitions, but preventing goals (or not) at a rate of -0.6 against the xG of shots against him. Must do better.
Prediction
Surely, surely there’s no prospect of a sixth without a win. Man City 3-1 Feyenoord.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
You can follow every Champions League game with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.