Manchester City’s head coach, Pep Guardiola, experienced a new reality on the soccer pitch through an early knockout from the UEFA Champions League following a round of 16 loss to French Team, AS Monaco.
Guardiola and his English side have received a ton of backlash and criticism for their disappointing performance. Having let Monaco score three goals in the second leg of the draw, fans of the club are especially upset by Pep’s lack of tactical decision making in the defensive aspect of the game. When ESPN reporters asked Pep his thoughts on his team’s defensive structure, he said: “No, it’s not about the defense. Today was not about that, the problem was the first half when we were not there. Our strikers have to be aggressive and pick the ball up, but we didn’t. At this crucial time. That’s why we are out”
According to the 46-year-old Spaniard, his team lacked shape in the attacking third of the pitch and were not composed in front of goal. With no recorded shots on target in the first half of regulation, Manchester City failed to find their tempo and fell short to Monaco’s aggressive side throughout the duration of the contest.
Following his team’s dramatic exit from the Champions league, Pep Guardiola’s future with the club remains cloudy; however, with a current third place in the BPL (Barclay’s premier league), Man City is still in contingency of the FA Cup and other trophies this season.
Seminole State College student, Jose Gutierrez said: “Although Pep’s squad is out, they still have next season to look forward to as they qualify for the Champions league again.”
Manchester City needs at least a fourth place finish in the BPL to qualify for the Champions League next year.