MAN CITY 1 – 2 Barcelona: When Will Pellegrini Ever Learn?
25 Feb
When will he learn?
The most frustrating thing about last night was not losing at home, nor was it Luis Suarez scoring twice on his return to England, nor was it Manuel Pellegrini selecting an ill-advised formation, nor was it his steadfast refusal after the game to acknowledge his mistakes. No. The most frustrating thing about last night was that it was all so entirely predictable.
I don’t particularly want this to turn into an extended criticism of Pellegrini at the expense of the players who actually have the ability to influence proceedings on the pitch, but when you have a manager who is so blind to his errors that he commits them game after game after game, it’s hard to focus elsewhere.
I should, as a City fan, be defending Pellegrini to the hilt. He is the man who guided the club to two trophies in his first season, brought us thrilling and entertaining football, and added a much-needed measure of serenity after Roberto Mancini’s provocative outbursts. But that can only go so far.
Perhaps I’d have more sympathy if he showed a capacity to learn and adapt and not commit the same basic mistakes time and again.
Not for a moment in the build-up to last night’s game did I consider he would opt to play with two strikers. Not for a moment did I think he would drop his best available central midfielder. Not for a moment did I think he would ask his two most creative outlets to spend large parts of the encounter trying to double up as secondary full-backs.
Maybe that’s an oversight on my behalf, but when you have been repeatedly shown that one formation does not work in the Champions League, yet another which far better suits the players does, then it is only natural to think that the manager, a man who should know far more about football than any of us, would realise the same.
Clearly not.
As soon as the team was announced last night, it was clear it was going to be a long 90 minutes. Some called it bold, some called it a gamble, I called it foolish. It was reckless, a selection that smacked of arrogance and naivety.
There is, of course, nothing inherently wrong with 4-4-2. As City have shown in the Premier League, it can work to great effect. But it works against inferior sides and it works when you have control of the majority of possession. It works when the opposition sit back and look to defend in numbers. It works when the onus is on you to break them down and conjure up that one moment of brilliance. So for many games domestically when City are on the front foot, having two strikers on the pitch, plus two creative midfielders, plus two overlapping full-backs providing the width, can be the best way to go.
Against the better sides, however, you have to be pragmatic. You have to adapt. You have to learn, surely, from previous errors.
And yet here we were, with Pellegrini selecting two up-front and then Silva and Nasri nominally on the wings. If one of the strikers had worked tirelessly to drop back into a midfield position and try to help out defensively, it may not have been such a bad idea. If Silva and Nasri had been prepared to track back and support their full-backs every time Barcelona attacked, it may not have been such a bad idea. But they didn’t and it was blindingly obvious what would happen.
City were outnumbered in central areas and yet somehow also looked short out wide. Fernando and Milner were horribly overrun in the middle, while Zabaleta and Clichy were exposed and vulnerable on the wings. Dzeko and Aguero were isolated up the other end of the pitch. Pellegrini set up his side exactly as Barcelona would have wished.
Why, therefore, did he not learn from what happened in Rome? Why did he not learn from City’s most complete performance in the Champions League in years? Why did he not look at how he lined up that night and realise that his side gave a controlled and balanced display, solid at the back and dangerous going forward?
In many ways, Pellegrini got lucky against Roma. He was without Yaya, Silva and Aguero, and that forced him to select a formation that worked. So often in the Champions League he has persisted with his favoured 4-4-2, but absences made him pick a better, more pragmatic system.
What that night should have shown him is that it is not all about glamour and sparkle. It is about giving your side the best possible chance of coming away with something from the game.
He chose Dzeko on his own up front, had Nasri provide the inventiveness behind him, and then had a hard-working midfield that was full of energy and intelligence. Navas and Milner were superb on the wings, acting as an extra line of defence yet also having the ability to offer an attacking threat. Fernando and Fernandinho (remember him?) combined perfectly: always harrying, always hassling, always there.
Looking back at City’s other memorable performances in this competition, the 3-2 triumph away to Bayern Munich last season was achieved with one striker, Silva in behind and then a solid base of four in midfield. The 3-2 win against the same opposition this campaign may have owed a lot to Aguero’s deadly finishing, but, again, it was one up front and a packed midfield. Even last season at home to Barcelona, despite an ultimately disappointing defeat, City had contained them expertly until Demichelis got sent off. And, again, it was with one up front and a stifling midfield.
That caution might go against all of Pellegrini’s attacking principles, but it should be blatantly clear by now that it is the way to proceed. So why did he ditch that plan and go for such an open line-up last night?
I’m not quite sure, but I believe it boils down to arrogance or stubbornness or naivety. Does he think that just because we are Manchester City we have the right to play an aggressive, forward-thinking style against all teams? Is he too obstinate that, although he may privately recognise his mistakes, he refuses to correct them because that would be admitting publically he got it wrong? Or is he, and this is perhaps the worst of all, simply naïve and lost at this level?
He came to City with a reputation of tactical acumen, based on his work with Villarreal and Malaga in the Champions League. With inferior sides, he could not just send his players out there with no plan and merely the freedom to express themselves. He had to adapt, he had to find a clever approach and make the most of his resources. And he did just that. Yet now he has some outstanding individuals at his disposal, he has seemingly ignored the need for instruction.
City have Joe Hart’s goalkeeping and Barcelona’s profligate finishing to thank for not putting the tie completely beyond our reach, and Pellegrini should be grateful that Messi didn’t score his injury-time penalty last night otherwise the pressure on the Chilean would be even greater.
Sure, it could have been different if City had capitalised on an impressive spell just after half-time and we will now travel to Spain in a few weeks with the mildest glimmer of hope, but the reality is that we got taught another Champions League lesson. The question for Pellegrini is when will he ever learn?
Like you couldn’t forsee a midfield of 4 lastnight, had milner Lampard Fernandinho in the midfield along with Nasri Silva. Just like Arsenal playerstold wenger against City to change tactics the senior players should tell Manuel that 442 isn’t working in Champions league
Spot on – I have nothing to add and nothing to subtract from that excellent summation.
Alph
Love the way you’ve signed your name at the bottom (what a dick)
Sadly I couldn’t agree more with your article.
Although I must admit that before I read it.I thought Pellegrini was correct in going with 442.
The system would’ve worked had we pressed their back four from the first minute, but it took us until the 46th minute to do this.
To me we still seem completely overawed against the likes of Barcelona. We were timid and scared of them yet again and we shouldn’t be. It was ironic that Malaga pulled off a result last weekend as well. Other teams in Spain aren’t scared of Barcelona. They just get outclassed by better players.
We don’t have that excuse. We’ve spent a Billion pounds assembling a squad to compete with the Europe’s elite and we still look like little children amongst adults.
It’s so disappointing.
One of the worst things about it is the attitude of a lot of my fellow supporters. I hear it every week. “oh I don’t care about the Champions League, it’s not as important as the league”
I’m 100% sure that Sheikh Mansoor doesn’t think that way and that’s the only crumb of comfort. He will continue to invest in the team and replace the manager if he fails to deliver what he wants.
I’m afraid it has to be naivety, both at a tactical and team-selection level. As a fan it always makes me uncomfortable to feel I know more than the manager. And, of course, I don’t. But it’s depressing to see the same mistakes being made against the same teams, with the same inevitable outcome.
Sadly this blog is spot on.442 was a major error particularly playing Fernando whose only attribute appears to be that he is slower than Javi Garcia without his passing ability,simply a poor mans Jamie Pollock.
The major problem Pellers has is the lack of quality signed in the last few seasons.None of Fernando Navas Mangala Sagna Jovetic Caballerro have improved the side .Essentially second class and in some cases for big money.Boni also looks aa lot of money for a wee fat man.
He and the Spanish duo need to take a hard look at themselves and for the summer give the squad a refreshment and clear out.Kolarov Dzeko Jovtic Fernando Navas Mangala Caballero would head the list of players for sale.
Milner should be given a final offer and told to sign ,if not let him go,much as we like him at the highest level he is wanting.Work is needed on Kompany who looks shot from his injuries ang most of all despite his detractors Yaya needs to be tied down ,he is the heart of the team and with Silva and Aguero is only truly world class player we have.
The question also has to be asked is Pelligrinni the right man for the rebuilding that needs to be done.Simeone has proven the ability to get results from an ordinary bunch of players at the European levels and should get consideration . Being charming may not be Anouilh for the Sheikh.
Good assessment. The minute I saw the team sheet I suspected we were doomed. Mascherano/Messi/Iniesta v Milner/Reggie? No contest. If We play Zabaleta in this format we should also play Navas who will put in a supporting stint all night. Silva, to be fair, put in a shift. Nasri didn’t – but this is more of a criticism of the system employed than of the player.
Spot on VfaB.
When I saw the team sheet I thought BBC online had got the Ferns mixed up.
The formation worked against Newcastle so maybe Pellers thought this would be a similar level of opposition – pardon the heavy sarcasm but it is hard to explain the logic isn’t it?
I am equally amazed it was only 2-1, bizarrely there is still hope – can’t wait to see your ‘probable team’ for that one VfaB.
I find myself in agreement with everyone in the room. This is unusual and uncharacteristic in itself. However, as dire, depressing and predictable as the events of last night proved to be the dye is cast and we are city. This means that a Herculean comeback at the Nou Camp is inevitable and that we will prevail despite ourselves.Those that believe in these things say that the sufferers are only given sufferings that they can cope with. That’s us!
Nice one Ian!
I thought your 1-2 pre-match forecast was pesimistic. I thought we’d win 3-1. But then I saw the teamsheet!
Gary Neville for manager!
Totally agree with the article, but I suspect Pellegrini was hoping that Sergio and Edin would defend a little more from the front, which of course they didn’t in the first half. When Barca scored the first Nasri disappeared coz he knew he had to put a shift in and without YaYa 5 yards away from him his game was up. Saying that with a bit of luck and some positive finishing from Edin and Nasri we may have been closer, but as a previous said, It was all so predictable. There is always next years games with Bayern – CSKA – and Barca to look forward too!!
You said it all. I was and still am totally baffled with his team selection. I wish I could find a better word as “stubborn” is too lenient of word for him.
Congrats Mr view, a wonderful post – the best I’ve read in a long time, thank you for taken the time & effort to put that together sir. I’m sick like everyone here, Mr pellers when I heard the team news my mouth dropped…f###### hell man – that’s being said etc etc… Unbelievable really & no excuse for it – its hurting big time Mr. As for our “leader” v.k played like a one legged Stephen hawking (again) I’ve seen Vin playing well once in the past year ‘ at home to Chelsea, he said he’s “not bothered” by the criticism… Well sonny you should be sick like us. What a totally sh1t thing to say Vincent… Us blues are dying here today’ how dare you say that you ash***… Your 60 yard “pass” in the first half nearly let barca in for number 3. Poor zaba was left doing the job of three men…Vinny’s & nasri job’ what mark did he get??? 4…5 etc, he worked like a dog all night & was knackered by the end. I’m very very disappointed with samir.. He did nothing, Marty d was fantastic… He got a 5/6 etc, the media praises Louis for his quality – the goals were v.k fault, for the second zaba was trying to cover two positions because our “leader” went AWOL, are you not bothered Vin??? What a pr##k. Give me Keith curle or Steve Redmond any day of the week..p.s dinho deserves a special mention along with Silva.. We won’t win at anfield with Mr k sh##y attitude. Sagna also worth a shout out, he played like he gave a f##k.
Spot on analysis, i have been done with this manager for a while now, he has killed the teams menatality and seems to ant to make it hard on himself….Another proble is our own fans just do not want to criticise him or anything that goes wrong at the club, i worry for us under this manager, and i think Kompany has suffered from te coach’s lack of defensive emphasis.
I know I’m in the minority but I don’t think tactics had as much impact as many City seem to believe since City played well in the second half until Clichy’s expulsion not to mention Atletico Madrid beat Barca playing 4-4-2.
The point being is tactics & systems mean Fuck all if teams lose their focus and discipline. The first goal was unlucky as Kompany blocked the flick on but it fell kindly to Suarez. From there one could sense the urgency of the players knowing
they now needed to make up two goals and they loss their focus. Both of Clichy’s cards were deserved as he dwelled on his challenges on Rakitic & Alves when he had positional advantage. Zabaleta lost his discipline on the penalty as he knows he should keep his feet in the box. I’m not suggesting tactics don’t play a part, they do, but so does commitment, commaradie, patience and perseverance. Something City lacked in the first half but had in the second half. Football is not chess. There is always a human element that you cannot
account for and thank goodness for that. All the best planned tactics will never negate the human element of football.
Atletico Madrid beat Barca playing 4-4-2 because their players pressed like devil from hell. The system suits the players styles and types. And they work their socks off for the full 90 minutes pressing and pressing and pressing and … However, City is not a pressing team and neither they can field a team on the pitch in which all players can commit 90 minutes to a pressing game like Atletico. It only takes one player failing to press say Silva or Nasri and that is enough for the whole system to crash by affording space esp to a possession based team like Barca to retain the ball and you then end up chasing the game.
In EPL in majority of games when team park the bus, our 4-4-2 seems okay because we own the majority of possession. However, Barca, Read Madrid, Bayern, etc they are totall new ball game. You can not treat those games the same.
4-4-2 in Barca game was a big mistake and a wrong tactical decision in that context.
Also I don’t think Pellegrini is stubborn or naive. In his last season at Malaga he set his team to park the bus in the QF & SF against Porto and Dortmund respectively. I think mssrs Mansour and Mubarak want City to play positive attractive football as well.I may be well in the but I’d rather see City go down swinging
What a total pathetic rant. The author needs to get himself on the Bluemoan forum.
As if you know more than the manager
These arm chair fans make me laugh
Blue, best you don’t post on here as you always disagree with VfaB and hurl childish insults at someone who gives his time to create well thought out points of view.
Please go somewhere else if you don’t like this site and vote with your feet rather than your gob. Thanks and goodbye
I think you’ll find the author gets paid. Please take note of the sites advertisements. Plus the site endorses gambling; arguably the biggest debilitating medium on the planet.
If you’re not mature enough to understand not everybody has the same opinion, I think it’s probably best you don’t use web-sites such as this one