Pep Guardiola has been told of a glaring weakness in Manchester City's play (Image: Getty)
Despite their crushing win over Ipswich Town, Manchester City are starting to show signs of a worrying chink in their armour. And Micah Richards believes fixing that particular problem could prove crucial to their title hopes this season.
The Citizens beat Ipswich 4-1 on Saturday, but only after the Premier League newcomers took the lead. And that surprise defeat was largely down to the Citizens themselves.
There were few faults to be found in Pep Guardiola's side in the face of such a victory. However, bigger teams than Ipswich could punish City much more severely if a problem persists – and it plagued them last season too.
“I don't want to be too critical and picky, but for a team that has just arrived in the Premier League [Ipswich]”And in terms of losing the ball in midfield,” Richards said on Match of the Day. “Okay, Rodri wasn't playing today, but that's a bit of a weakness.”
The MOTD team then had the opportunity to review Ipswich's breakthrough at the Etihad, which came when City lost possession near the visitors' penalty area. Kieran McKenna's side quickly broke through at the other end, which ended with Sammie Szmodics converting past Ederson.
Richards continued: “[Jeremy] Doku doesn't follow the run, Johnson makes a nice pass, Rico Lewis sleeps and it's a good finish from Szmodics. And I think those are the little things they could improve on. Because last season, the goals conceded on the counterattack – seven!
Sammie Szmodics exploited a big gap in City's game (Image: Getty)
By comparison, that figure is more than the number of goals City have conceded on the counter-attack in the previous three campaigns (six). And this season's tally is already underway thanks to the Tractor Boys.
Richards then noted that Arsenal “look better this season”, suggesting that they could be the team to capitalise on this victory and win a first Premier League title in two decades. However, host Gary Lineker joked that his colleague was perhaps “nitpicking”.
Micah Richards found the fault in his former camp (Image: Getty)
Guardiola may not think as much because he is perhaps more interested than anyone in his team's weaknesses. And he will be the first to try to plug any trace of vulnerability on the counterattack.
This season, Manchester City have already shown that they are human and can be challenged, although a hat-trick from Erling Haaland can get them out of most sticky situations. The champions will obviously not always be able to count on the Norwegian to save them.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1940277/manchester-city-ipswich-guardiola-richards-rodri