Just a month ago, Manchester City appeared unstoppable, with a near-perfect start to the 2024/25 season, marred only by draws against Inter Milan, Arsenal, and Newcastle. However, a series of setbacks has plunged Pep Guardiola’s side into an unexpected crisis. Since then, City have racked up an alarming string of defeats and disappointing results, including losses to Spurs, Bournemouth, Sporting CP, Brighton, and Feyenoord.
November marked the first month in Guardiola’s tenure without a win, and it has been the first time in his managerial career that his team has failed to win multiple matches in a single month. Moreover, City conceded 15 goals in their last five matches, more than they conceded in the previous 15 fixtures. In an astonishing turn, Guardiola’s men became the first team in history to fail to win after leading by three goals with just 15 minutes left in a match.
So, what exactly has gone wrong for a team that usually dominates the football landscape?
1. Rodri’s Injury Crisis
Rodri’s absence has been a glaring issue for Manchester City. The Ballon d’Or finalist is irreplaceable in the holding midfield role, and since his injury against Arsenal, City’s usual invincibility has been missing. Since Rodri’s injury, City’s record has plummeted to just 43% wins in the Premier League, compared to their 100% record with him in the side. Without Rodri’s defensive shielding and ball distribution, City have been increasingly vulnerable on the counter-attack, conceding an average of 1.17 shots per game, a sharp rise from last season’s 0.66.
2. Midfield Depth Issues: Mateo Kovacic’s Injury Worsens the Crisis
With Rodri sidelined, Guardiola turned to Mateo Kovacic to deputise, but the Croatian midfielder’s own injury woes have only compounded City’s problems. Kovacic’s absence was keenly felt in a Premier League defeat to Tottenham, where City struggled in midfield, with a trio of Rico Lewis, Ilkay Gundogan, and Bernardo Silva failing to contain Spurs’ attacking transitions. This issue is likely to persist unless Guardiola can find a tactical solution or strengthen his midfield options.
3. Erling Haaland’s Goal Drought
After a blistering start to the 2024/25 season, Erling Haaland’s form has taken a noticeable dip, reflecting City’s broader struggles. Haaland netted 10 goals in the opening five matches, but has managed just two goals in the following seven league games. While his strike against Brighton came in a rare loss where he did score, the larger issue is City’s reliance on Haaland for goals. The Norwegian forward now accounts for more than half of City’s goals in the Premier League, highlighting the team’s struggles to find additional sources of attack.
4. Defensive Instability and Injuries
City’s defensive problems have also been a critical factor in their recent slump. Guardiola has been unable to field his first-choice backline, and injuries to key defenders have forced the team to field makeshift options. “Our four central defenders are not there, and not still ready,” Guardiola explained, referring to the defensive injuries. The lack of stability at the back has been compounded by Rodri’s absence, as City have struggled to maintain defensive solidity without their key holding midfielder. Players like Manuel Akanji and John Stones, who might normally play in defensive midfield roles, have been sidelined or deployed out of their preferred positions.
With Guardiola’s usual tactical solutions not working, Manchester City faces a difficult challenge as they attempt to recover from this crisis. The team will need to address these key issues quickly, or risk falling further behind in the Premier League title race.
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