Man City’s Defensive Struggles Persist: ‘Fragile, Frail & Weak’

Pep Guardiola has admitted that his Manchester City side are currently “fragile,” and their defensive shortcomings were glaringly evident during their 3-3 draw with Feyenoord at the Etihad Stadium. The defending Premier League champions were left to reflect on yet another disappointing result after squandering a 3-0 lead in the Champions League match, which only raised more questions about their ability to defend effectively.
Instead of heading to Anfield for their upcoming Premier League clash with Liverpool on Sunday with confidence, Manchester City now find themselves in a deeper crisis. Their defensive issues have continued to plague them, and the 3-3 draw, which saw them surrender a commanding lead, added to the mounting concerns about their form. Guardiola’s side now face Liverpool with even more uncertainty about their defensive capabilities, having failed to capitalize on a promising position.
For the first time since May 1963, City has conceded two or more goals in six consecutive matches across all competitions, highlighting a significant weakness in their backline. Despite dominating the first half and looking set to break their five-match losing streak, the match against Feyenoord ended in a bitterly disappointing draw. After Erling Haaland’s third goal in the 53rd minute, City seemed firmly in control, holding a commanding 3-0 lead. At that point, it looked like they would cruise to a much-needed victory. However, Feyenoord’s resilience in the second half saw them pull two goals back, and City were unable to close out the game, ultimately drawing 3-3.
The home crowd, who had hoped for a return to winning ways, expressed their frustration by booing the team off the pitch at full-time. The result was not only a blow to City’s hopes of bouncing back from their recent slump but also raised serious concerns about their ability to maintain a lead and close out games. Guardiola’s side was left to rue their inability to secure all three points from a position of strength.
Former England captain Alan Shearer, who was covering the match for Amazon Prime, did not hold back in his assessment of City’s performance. He described the team as “weak,” “light,” and “frail,” particularly highlighting the lack of resilience in their defense. “They look weak, they look light, they look frail,” Shearer said, pointing to the team’s overall vulnerability when under pressure. Despite being 3-2 up with just minutes left, City made an odd decision to take a quick free-kick rather than running down the clock and killing off the game. Shearer criticized this move, adding, “Why take a quick free-kick? Kill the game off when you’re in such a comfortable position.”
City’s failure to manage the game when they were ahead further exacerbated the frustrations surrounding their performance. With the match winding down and the opportunity to seal the victory, their inability to play smart, composed football and manage the game effectively was a major factor in their failure to take all three points. This lack of maturity and game management was evident as they allowed Feyenoord to get back into the match, leaving Guardiola with more defensive questions than answers.
Guardiola, who has often been lauded for his tactical acumen, now faces a major challenge in addressing his side’s defensive frailties. While City’s attacking firepower, led by the likes of Haaland, remains formidable, their defense has become a growing concern. The manager will need to find a solution to his team’s defensive issues quickly if they are to remain competitive on all fronts, especially with their Premier League title defense at risk.
As City head into their crucial match against Liverpool, the pressure is mounting on Guardiola to resolve the defensive lapses that have plagued his side. The upcoming clash with Jurgen Klopp’s team promises to be a stern test for City’s resolve, and how they respond will be critical to their hopes of retaining their Premier League crown. The game could serve as a litmus test for their defensive capabilities, and Guardiola will need to ensure his team is more resilient and composed in order to avoid further setbacks.