Connect with us

Sports

Super Cup Success Does Not Mask Cracks In Man City’s Facade

City are aiming to become the first side to ever win four consecutive English top-flight tiles.

Published

on

WhatsApp Image 2023 08 17 at 7.30.22 PM
Manchester City celebrating Super Cup victory

Manchester City’s treble winners have added more silverware to their collection, but a UEFA Super Cup victory over Sevilla only exposed some cracks in Pep Guardiola’s squad ahead of another demanding campaign.

Sevilla had begun their campaign last weekend with a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Valencia and finished 12th in La Liga last season.

But the Europa League winners should have picked up another European trophy in Athens.

Youssef En-Nesyri’s header powered the Spaniards into a first-half lead, but the Moroccan was guilty of missing two huge chances when one-on-one with Ederson after the break.

Advertisement

City badly missed the creativity of Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva, who were sidelined by injury and illness respectively.

De Bruyne’s four-month absence due to a serious hamstring injury has exacerbated the loss of goals from midfield caused by the departures of Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez since the end of last season.

Mahrez’s exit to Saudi Arabia has opened the door for Cole Palmer to make his impact on the first team.

The England Under-21 international won man of the match after his headed equaliser rounded off a fine individual display.

Advertisement

Yet, Guardiola was far from convinced after the match that even Palmer would be part of his squad once the transfer market closes on September 1.

He has been linked with a move to West Ham as a makeweight in City’s pursuit of Brazilian international Lucas Paqueta.

“I don’t know (if he will stay),” said the City boss. “When we arrived (to Athens), I had the opinion that he wanted to leave but now I don’t know.

“I don’t think a loan is going to happen. He’s going to stay or he’s going to be sold.”

Advertisement

Under the baking heat in the Greek capital, Guardiola made only one substitution when Julian Alvarez was introduced late on for Palmer.

On top of defending the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup, City are involved in the League Cup and are targeting the club’s first ever Club World Cup in December.

Guardiola has bemoaned his side’s lack of preparation time for the new season and blamed a spate of major injuries across the top European leagues so early in the season on a gruelling schedule.

Real Madrid duo Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao’s seasons could already be over after suffering anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

Advertisement

Arsenal’s new £40 million ($50 million) defender Jurrien Timber and Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendia have also suffered similar injuries.

Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku had to undergo knee surgery on an injury picked up on a poor pitch during a pre-season friendly in Chicago.

“Look at all the cruciate ligament injuries there have been in all the big leagues this start of the season. The players don’t rest either physically or mentally,” said Guardiola ahead of the Super Cup final.

“They make them travel to Asia or America (on pre-season tours) for the club’s purposes and play really hard games on bad pitches and the players get injured, or will get injured, because they don’t have these 25 days to prepare.”

Advertisement

Guardiola has always preferred to work with a small squad to enhance team spirit and cohesion.

City are aiming to become the first side to ever win four consecutive English top-flight tiles.

However, without further additions, they may be spread too thin in the coming months, offering hope to the chasing pack in the Premier League.

Advertisement

Stay ahead with VerseNews. Get the latest breaking news, insightful analysis, and trending stories. Your go-to source for timely updates and unbiased reporting.

Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

WATCH: Nigeria Newspaper Headline Today

Apply For Latest Job Openings

Trending

jamb cut of mark jamb cut of mark
Education15 hours ago

JAMB Sets 2025/2026 Admission Cut-Off Marks for Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges

The cut-off marks were approved during the 2025 JAMB Policy Meeting held in Abuja, which brought together key stakeholders.

asuu trike asuu trike
Education22 hours ago

BREAKING: ASUU Declares Nationwide Strike

Already, ASUU branches at the University of Jos and the University of Abuja have commenced the strike action in compliance...

Double Taxation Agreement talks Double Taxation Agreement talks
Business23 hours ago

Netherlands Begins Double Taxation Agreement Talks with Nigeria

The talks mark a significant step in Nigeria’s evolving international tax diplomacy and its effort to align with global fiscal...

David Mark Rauf Aregbesola ADC David Mark Rauf Aregbesola ADC
News24 hours ago

Coalition: David Mark, Other ADC Interim Leaders Dragged to Court – DETAILLS

The lawsuit threatens the fragile unity of the opposition coalition, reportedly being driven by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar,

enugu airr enugu airr
News24 hours ago

Enugu Air Officially Launches Domestic Flight Services Across Nigeria [PHOTOS]

Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, who commissioned the airline, assured that the federal government will fully support the success of...

NEW Chairman 1 e1697132619421 NEW Chairman 1 e1697132619421
News1 day ago

Yahoo Boys Blocking Foreign Investors from Nigeria – EFCC Chairman

According to him, Yahoo Boys are blocking foreign investors from engaging with the country.

African Democratic Congress African Democratic Congress
Politics1 day ago

ADC Raises Alarm Over Alleged Tinubu Plot to Cripple Opposition Coalition

The party described the moves as part of a broader agenda to erode Nigeria's multiparty democracy.

beinin fight beinin fight
News2 days ago

Benin: Boyfriend Cuts Off Own Manhood, Slices Girlfriend’s Stomach in Bloody Fight (VIDEO/PICTURES)

During the altercation, the man allegedly reached for a kitchen knife and used it to slice open the woman’s stomach,...

MultiChoice MultiChoice
Business2 days ago

MultiChoice Slammed with ₦766m Fine for Violating Nigerians’ Data Privacy Rights

MultiChoice violated the data privacy rights of its subscribers and individuals associated with them who are not necessarily subscribers.

Primate Ayodele Primate Ayodele
News3 days ago

‘Trump Does Not Like Him’ — Primate Ayodele’s Shocking Prophecy to APC Ahead of 2027

Primate Ayodele warned that Tinubu’s re-election is surrounded by both spiritual and political sabotage.

Advertisement