It’s the players Pep Guardiola trusts the most that are letting Manchester City down | OneFootball

Manchester City once again beat themselves at the Etihad Stadium tonight against Real Madrid to lose 3-2. They inexplicably threw away a 2-1 lead in the latter stages of their Champions League knockout play-off first-leg fixture. They left themselves a mountain to climb at the Bernabeu next week. But coming out of the game you were left with the sense that it is the players that Pep Guardiola trusts the most that are letting his team down. That stood out during yet another late City collapse.

Manchester City led Real Madrid 2-1 with 5 minutes plus stoppage time left to play at the Etihad. An Erling Haaland penalty in the 80th minute had given City a lead to cling to in the game’s final stages. But they failed to hold onto what they had. First, it was Ederson, whose poor clearance allowed Real Madrid the chance to equalise. His save from Vinicius Junior’s shot, which spilled into the path of Brahim Diaz, wasn’t his finest moment either which allowed Brahim to equalise in the 86th minute. That made the game 2-all. Minutes later Mateo Kovacic played a ridiculous ball in midfield which allowed Vinicius Junior to pounce. He chipped Ederson, who was in no man’s land, and although it went wide, Jude Bellingham was on hand to give Real Madrid a 3-2 lead in stoppage time. Two of City’s most experienced players faltered at a crucial stage of the match. But we have seen this time and time again this season.

READ MORE: City player ratings from Manchester City’s 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid.

Manuel Akanji made a horrible error against Arsenal to kickstart City’s recent 5-1 at the Emirates. You can go through the errors that have categorised City’s season, and it’s generally the players Pep Guardiola trusts the most that are letting Manchester City down. There’s no explanation for it, nor can it be planned for. But it’s costing Manchester City time and time again. It happened once again tonight and you do get the sense that perhaps there is only one solution for it.

Maybe now is finally the time for Pep Guardiola to trust other players. We know what we’re going to get from several of City’s most experienced players. If Nico is fit start him instead of Gundogan or Kovacic. At the back play Khusanov and Reis to let them kickstart their development. There may be temporary pain but persisting with players who just can’t do what they once could is crippling Pep Guardiola’s side. The Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic midfield just needs to be binned. It simply doesn’t hold up anymore. There can’t be any harm in giving Nico O’Reilly a run in there. At least he can move on the pitch rather than look old and tired. That could be a solution for Pep Guardiola to trial over the second half of the season.

But it’s the players that Pep Guardiola trusts the most that are failing Manchester City this season. We saw it again tonight. Whether or not it’s a lack of hunger or age or a combination of both they just can’t do what they once could. That’s clear to see. There’s no shame in that but it’s costing Manchester City time and time again. That was one of several conclusions to come out of City’s disappointing defeat to Real Madrid tonight.