Sporting Lisbon vs Man City Post-Match Analysis

We all thought that Man City had left their bad form behind them and were ready to get a result in the Champions League….. But NO! They were humiliated, outclassed and outplayed. I am not sure how long Man City will have to keep playing like this until big changes happen! This is supposed to be a team challenging for every trophy. At this rate, Man City fans will be relieved to even have one by the end of the season! The last time that Man City lost 3 games in a row was in 2018! I am hoping that this weekend, Man City pick up at least a draw against a very in-form Brighton team.

Putting Away Chances

I never thought that I would complain about Man City not being clinical after the signing of Haaland a few seasons ago, but here I am. Man City had 20 shots, 6 of them on target, an xG of 2.23 and even a penalty, but they only managed to score 1 goal! That is unacceptable. Man City were peppering Sporting Lisbon all the first half, and I thought that the game could’ve been won in those 45 minutes if Man City put their chances away. But no, they kept missing and Sporting Lisbon scored from what seemed like their second big chance of the game in the 38th minute. 

Counter Attacks

Is it just me, or do Man City look super open during a counterattack? I mean every time Man City are dispossessed, and the other team have the ball and are attacking, there is nobody trying to stop them and there is so much space for them to drive into. During this game, you could see that Sporting were trying to soak up the pressure and quickly break to expose one of Man City’s biggest tactical flaws. Gyokeres was a very big problem. He was too hot to handle. Like I said in my pre-match article, he was the Man to Watch. At the start of the game, he had a massive chance. He was played through, and no defenders were around him. He almost had too much time to think, so I think that led him to overcomplicate his strike, therefore missing. A player like him doesn’t make the same mistake twice. When he was played through again, he took his chance and equalised. 

Rúben Amorim

I am pretty sure that you all know by now, Rúben Amorim was appointed the new Head Coach for Manchester United and will be announced on the 11th of November. After schooling Manchester City in the Champions League, I am sure that Manchester United fans will have hope that Rúben Amorim can replicate his performances at Sporting Lisbon. 

I found a very interesting video of the tactical vision he will try and implement at Man Utd. Check it out!

As a football fan, I wish him nothing but the best and I hope that he can do well at Manchester United and live up to the expectations of the media, but since I have Sky Blue blood in me, I don’t want him to do too well ;). Not beat Man City 4-1 at least!