The Bitter Taste of Defeat
ETIHAD STADIUM, MANCHESTER — The air was thick with disappointment and frustration as Pep Guardiola trudged into the post-match press conference following Tuesday night’s 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid. This was a familiar story for the Catalan manager, who has more often than not faced such press conferences after victories, not bitter losses. The carnage on the field felt all too familiar, as City once again squandered a lead. "After 2-1, it happened. We’ve resumed this pattern this season," Guardiola admitted. "In many games, it happened. Against Feyenoord, Sporting, Brentford, Man United. Too many times, and at this level, it’s incredibly difficult. It’s not the first time, unfortunately."
A Season of )->(
The 2024/25 season has been a rollercoaster for Manchester City, marked by a series of late collapses that have left fans and pundits baffled. This latest defeat to Real Madrid was the fifth time City had lost a game after being ahead, a stark contrast to their past four seasons combined. The sight of a team that has won six of the last seven Premier League titles consistently faltering in critical moments is jarring. Nathan Ake, visibly frustrated, echoed the sentiment, "Obviously, the last five minutes or so when you’re winning 2-1, to give it away like that is frustrating and hard to take. It’s happened a few times now this season, and we haven’t learned from it yet."
Home Turf Troubles
City’s home form, once a fortress, has taken a hit. The 4-0 loss to Tottenham in November was their first Premier League loss at home in almost two years, spanning 35 league matches and 52 in all competitions. Even their last home Champions League defeat before this season was against Lyon in 2018. The home crowd’s trepidation was palpable when Brahim Diaz, a former City youth player, equalized in the 86th minute. The catalogue of late collapses is a recurring nightmare: Brighton (2-1 loss), Feyenoord (3-3 draw), Man United (2-1 defeat), and now Real Madrid (3-2 defeat), all after leading in the final minutes.
The Rodri Factor
A significant portion of City’s woes can be attributed to the absence of Rodri, their Ballon d’Or winner and midfield lynchpin. Rodri’s presence has been crucial in managing the closing stages of games, and his ACL injury has left a void that the team has struggled to fill. Players like Ederson, Josko Gvardiol, and Matheus Nunes have made critical errors, and the loss of John Stones and Ruben Dias to injuries has further compounded the problem. Manuel Akanji, overworked in defense, succumbed to a groin injury in the first half, and Jack Grealish, returning to a non-FA Cup game, was forced out of action after a promising start.
Injuries and Fatigue
Injuries and the resulting lack of peak fitness have been major contributors to City’s late-game meltdowns. Players covering for injured teammates without being at their best have led to a domino effect of errors. Guardiola’s meticulous preparation, which has traditionally allowed his teams to peak in the final months of the season, has been hampered by a staggering 100 fewer days on the training ground compared to the treble-winning campaign of 2022/23. The confidence of players, built on years of meticulous preparation, has been shaken, leading to a defensive fragility unseen in recent seasons.
Reassessing the Midfield
Guardiola’s midfield, once the engine room of City’s dominance, is aging, and the recent performances of Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan have been far from their best. De Bruyne, at 33, and Gundogan, at 34, are showing the effects of their years and past injuries. Bernardo Silva, another central midfielder, has also seen a decline in his performances, with his recovery rate dropping from 5.34 per 90 minutes in the treble season to 2.98 this year. The signing of Nico Gonzalez from Porto on deadline day was a response to these issues, but his role as an unused substitute in the Madrid game highlighted the pressing need for Guardiola to reassess his midfield options.
A Tough Road Ahead
Manchester City now face a grueling schedule with key home matches against Newcastle and Liverpool, and away trips to Madrid and Tottenham. The FA Cup remains their only realistic chance of silverware in a season marred by late collapses and uncharacteristic errors. Guardiola, a manager known for his tactical brilliance, must find a way to restore composure and manage these situations. "I’ve been here for many years, and we’ve been an extraordinary team, an incredible machine," Guardiola reflected. "But at the moment, I’m not good enough to give the team the composure it needs. It’s tough, and I think about how long the players suffer." The road to redemption will be long and arduous, but for a team of City’s caliber, every challenge is an opportunity to rise again.
