Following their convincing win at home to Liverpool on Monday night, Manchester City were frustrated by Mark Hughes' Potters this weekend. Check out the full match report here on Vavel at: https://www.vavel.com/en/football/premier-league/manchester-city/386033-manchester-city-0-1-stoke-city-hughes-has-city-singing-the-blues.html
Although it is hard to think back to such a disapointing result, here are five things we learned from the frustrating defeat:
1. Full credit Stoke.
From the very first minute, everybody in the Etihad knew how the pattern of the game would unfold... almost. As the opening whistle sounded, there was no relentless Stoke attack, no committing bodies forward, no open spaces. No. This was the Etihad. This is the stadium of the most ruthless attack in the Premier League. Last season only Chelsea and Sunderland escaped defeat at the City of Manchester fortress. Chelsea took full advatnage of a less than mobile Demichelis as part of a midfield two and Sunderland are City's infamous bogey team.
Anyone with any sense knew that for Stoke to maximise their chances of leaving the Etihad unscathed, they needed to be defence orientated, compact, and they needed to hit City on the break. Full credit to Stoke and Mark Hughes. They were organised, hard-working, and disciplined. They fully deserved the three points after holding City to only two shots on target for 90+ minutes. As Pellegrini said in his post-match comments: "these games always happen once a year and today it happened to our team."
2. "City lacked a Plan B" is an easy excuse.
The hearty praise aimed towards Stoke is also a bitter criticism for Manchester City. Although dominating control of the ball with 76% posession, City never looked like breaking down a stubborn Stoke defence. The ball was passed up and back, prompting and probing, but when no gaps appeared, City were lost for ideas. In general, their usual patient approach yields results as the opposition tire, their concentration falters, and City pounce and score. Ask Liverpool's Moreno if you don't believe me.
This time however Stoke were superhuman in their concentration and dedication levels, and City had no reply. Nobody stepped up and changed the approach. City were too confident in their ability to wear down stubborn opposition. Is that a bad thing? When Barcalona are frustrated do they hoof the ball into the box to mix things up? Or do they persist in their ideals and are swamped with praise when it finally bears fruit?
Manchester City are a long term club. A way of playing is being ingrained in every single sky blue player from knee height up. When things get tough, believe in the system. Play attractive football. Control the ball in the opposition half. Not just when they are ahead and coasting.
Pellegrini has stated before that he could pack a defence and grind out victories one by one. But that isn't how City play. That isn't how they invisage the future. City see a successful future built on a rock solid philosophy. Not win on the back of how well a manager sets them up. If City did that then the team would collapse the moment that manager left. (hint hint)
If "once a year" they have to put up with a frustrating loss like today, it will still be worth it.
3. Players not up to speed after World Cup.
"I don’t agree we were casual. I think we were very patient, we tried to create space, and Stoke defended very well. We didn’t play very well creatively and it was a bad day".
Pellegrini sums up the Blues disappointing display in his post-match comments. City stuck to their plan but unfortunately for them, Stoke offered little opening. The problem for Pellegrini was that on City's day, even the little openings that did occur would've been punished. Half a second slow and Jovetic is in there. Slightly too central in your positioning and Kun beats you at your near post.
Today however, City failed to make the most of the half-chances; Yaya hit the bar, Nasri rushed a smart pull back from Sagna, Dzeko couldn't keep his header on target. It happens. Pellegrini would've been content with how his team have preformed thus far given the nature of the pre-season following the world cup, but they are far from their best. Silva and Yaya in particular have not reached anywhere near what we all know they can do.
Hopefully the International break will afford the players time to regain some form. It will be needed with Chelsea, Arsenal, and FC Bayern to come when they return.
4. Zabaleta was missed.
Credit to Sagna. He defended well. He won the majority of his duels. He gave Stoke no oportunity down his right-flank. Unfortunately, those qualities were a rare necessity when your team has over 75% posession. What City really needed was some threat in the final third. Kolarov on the other side was finding it hard to beat the first man. When City swung the ball to hit Stoke from another angle, Sagna stood out on the touchline. Occasionally, when he got a cross away, it was floated in and never looked to trouble the resolute Stoke defense.
Whether he is not fully on the same wavelength as the players around him, or if he will ever offer the same penetrating runs as Zabaleta, Sagna was not a fit deputy for the Argentine. He gave no incentive for the Stoke players to get out and track him which would have created more space in the centre for City to attack. So far, the Frenchman is a fine defender, but unfortunately he still has some way to go before he is challenging Zabaleta as the prefered right back.
5. Hart still liable.
Hart should have done better. Forget Kolarov's failed cynical shoulder barge. Forget the fortunate nutmeg on Fernandinho. Hart had a shot straight at him and he failed to deal with it. Yeah maybe a striker in that position would be most clinical by shooting across the goal, but Hart should've never tried to anticipate what was going to happen instead of reacting to what actually happened. Stoke had only two shots on target and they scored once. That leaves Hart with a 50% Save percentage. Not only that but his punches were not particulty good, and his distribution was poor as usual.
Expect an appearance from Willy if Hart has another performance like that.