One victory, three draws and nine defeats. It's still unbelievable, but yes, that's Manchester City's record in their previous 13 games.
While the initial run of poor form could have been described as an “oversight” for the Premier League champions, it is now fair to say that Pep Guardiola and his team find themselves in uncharted territory.
The Spaniard had never found himself in a situation like this. It feels like all eyes are on struggling City and no matter what they do, they can't seem to get out of this crisis.
It's a situation that has left Guardiola scratching his head, literally, searching for answers, but as the weeks go by he can't find them.
After their recent 1-1 draw against Everton, he insisted that City need to recruit new players to help their efforts. However, is there more that can be done?
We asked ChatGPT how Guardiola can overcome his dismal form and here are the eight things the AI software suggested.
Manchester City have won just one game in their previous 13 in all competitions.
Pep Guardiola has struggled to find a solution to City's current problems on the football pitch.
Question: How can Pep Guardiola fix Manchester City?
Answer:
1. Defensive stability
Challenge: Manchester City's defense has been unstable at times, especially in important games, with lapses in concentration and vulnerability on the counterattack.
Solution:
Strongest centre-back pairing: City have struggled at times with injuries to key defenders such as Ruben Dias and John Stones. Building a more consistent partnership in central defense or adding another top centre-back could provide greater depth.
Full-backs as defenders: The reliance on full-backs to attack has at times left City exposed defensively. Guardiola could ensure they adopt a more balanced role, providing defensive cover without compromising offensive support too much.
Faster recovery from counterattacks: With the defensive line high, City are vulnerable to teams that can break quickly. Protecting against these situations could involve more disciplined positioning by midfielders and centre-backs.
City have struggled at times with injuries to key defenders such as Ruben Dias and John Stones.
Kyle Walker has lost a yard of pace this year, which has seen City's high defensive line struggle.
2. Fluidity and creativity in midfield
Challenge: While City have one of the most talented midfields in Europe, there can be times when creativity stagnates or the team becomes too predictable in the build-up to the game.
Solution:
More dynamic midfielders: Adding a dynamic box-to-box midfielder or someone with more flair and direct dribbling could provide a different dimension. A player capable of breaking lines with passes or dribbles would diversify City's attacking options.
Replacing Rodri's role: While Rodri is usually crucial in a holding midfield role, City have struggled in the Spaniard's absence. Instead, Guardiola could experiment with using a double pivot to provide more versatility, especially against teams that sit deep.
Innovative use of Bernardo Silva: Although Silva is usually deployed on the wing, Guardiola could consider using him more centrally to link play and create overloads in the final third.
With Rodri injured, Guardiola could experiment with a double pivot
3. Rotation and team depth
Challenge: Manchester City's team is one of the deepest in Europe, but Guardiola has been criticized for relying too much on key players in certain positions, particularly in attack. Injuries or fatigue can be a problem in a long season.
Solution:
More balanced rotation: Guardiola could continue to develop team rotation strategies, ensuring key players such as Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland and others are well-rested for critical matches without sacrificing quality.
Developing younger players: Integrating more young players into the first team, or loaning them out to gain experience, would ensure there is more depth without relying too heavily on the core group of veterans.
The city could benefit from the introduction of young people like James McAtee (pictured)
4. Consistency in definition and goals
Challenge: Despite having a clinical striker like Erling Haaland, there are games in which City create numerous opportunities but fail to convert them. There are periods in which his scoring rate drops.
Solution:
Diversified attack: Guardiola could seek to distribute the scoring load more evenly among the entire team. This could mean optimizing the finishing of players like Savinho, Jack Grealish or even their midfielders like Bernardo Silva.
Greater composure in front of goal: City can sometimes become overly complex in their play, searching for the perfect goal. Ensuring players are more decisive in front of goal could reduce the chances of missing high-value opportunities.
City need players like Savinho to help distribute the scoring load among their forwards
Jack Grealish has failed to find the back of the net for City during 2024
5. Adapt to opponents' strategies
Challenge: Pep's style is usually to dominate possession and control games, but some teams have been able to nullify City's attacking threats by defending deep and playing on the counterattack.
Solution:
More direct play when necessary: Although Guardiola is known for his possession-based play, there are times when a more direct approach might be necessary, especially against teams that sit deep. The team could become more effective with quick transitions or longer balls to Haaland.
Tactical flexibility: Guardiola must ensure that his tactical approach can vary depending on the opponent. For example, playing with a more compact midfield against teams that dominate possession, or employing a higher pressing strategy when facing teams that build from the back.
Use width more effectively: At times, City's attack can be too centralized, making it easier for opponents to defend. By using the width of the pitch more effectively (stretching the opposition and creating more space in the middle), City can open up new avenues of attack.
Guardiola should ensure that his tactical approach can vary depending on the opponent
6. Handle pressure in important matches
Challenge: Despite success in domestic competitions, City have faced difficulties in the Champions League and occasionally in high-stakes domestic matches, particularly in the knockout stages.
Solution:
Mental toughness: Guardiola should focus on cultivating mental resilience, especially in playoff scenarios or crucial league games. City need to have the ability to stay calm and stick to their game plan even under intense pressure.
Managing expectations of big games: Guardiola will need to ensure that he and his players are not overwhelmed by the expectations that come with their success. It is not necessary to approach every match with an overly ambitious attacking mentality; Sometimes patience and game management are key in big moments.
City were unable to handle the pressure in the final moments of their 2-1 defeat to rivals Man United.
7. Take advantage of Haaland's strengths
Challenge: Haaland's physicality and clinical finishing have transformed City's attack, but there are times when City's intricate style seems to sideline him in high-possession situations.
Solution:
Tailor the game to Haaland's strengths: Guardiola can continue to find ways to optimize Haaland's role in the team. This includes exploiting his pace and positioning on counterattacks, and ensuring he gets more early serves in dangerous areas, especially with deep crosses and through balls from midfield.
Linking play: Guardiola could also encourage Haaland to get more involved in linking play, which would make City less reliant on perfect passes from others and allow the striker to contribute to the build-up of play.
Guardiola can continue looking for ways to optimize Erling Haaland's role in the team
8. Mental preparation for big tournaments
Challenge: City have been a dominant force in the Premier League, but when it comes to European competitions like the Champions League, they have struggled with a sense of over-ambition or tactical rigidity.
Solution:
Approach big games with flexibility: Especially in the Champions League, Guardiola could focus more on adaptability, moving between possession football and more pragmatic tactics when necessary.
Squad experience: Adding players with experience on big European nights, or ensuring current stars know how to handle the high-pressure situations of knockout football, will be key to going further in the Champions League.