Manchester City’s 2-2 draw against Monaco has sparked debate, with former Premier League striker Chris Sutton openly criticizing Pep Guardiola’s tactical decisions. The stalemate, marked by moments of brilliance and missed opportunities, has left City searching for answers as they aim to maintain their Champions League momentum.
Haaland’s Goals Cancelled Out by Monaco Resilience
Erling Haaland continued his fine form, netting twice to give Manchester City an early advantage. However, Monaco fought back with a first-half equalizer from Jordan Teze and a dramatic late penalty by Eric Dier, denying City a crucial victory. Despite dominating possession and generating numerous chances, Guardiola’s side couldn’t convert dominance into three points after their impressive win over Napoli in the opening group stage fixture.
Sutton Slams Guardiola’s Second-Half Substitution
The pivotal moment in the match came when Guardiola chose to substitute Jeremy Doku for Savinho, a decision that baffled Sutton. Speaking on BBC Sport’s Football Daily, Sutton argued that removing Doku, who posed a real threat on the wing, was a tactical error. He insisted Bernardo Silva should have been the one to come off.
“Why is Bernardo Silva playing out wide? I don’t understand why Pep took Jeremy Doku off but kept Bernardo Silva on. Silva isn’t able to beat full-backs consistently, which is a massive issue,” Sutton explained.
He further highlighted the lack of dynamism on City’s right flank, pairing John Stones and Silva as underperforming. “All the good play came from the left side or from Phil Foden, who was excellent. But on the right, Stones and Silva just aren’t at their best anymore. It’s a real problem for City,” Sutton added, branding Guardiola’s substitution as “ridiculous.”
Guardiola Reflects on the Draw, Stresses Positives
Despite the criticism, Guardiola remained upbeat about his team’s overall performance. He praised their ability to create chances and limit Monaco’s opportunities, emphasizing the challenge of defending against Monaco’s speed.
“We played a really good game. We created many chances and conceded very few, though we were unfortunate to concede from a free-kick and a penalty,” Guardiola told reporters post-match.
He acknowledged the tight defensive setup Monaco employed and expressed satisfaction with the team’s progress. “Step by step, we will improve. Many players performed well, especially Phil in the first half. We defended well overall but need to be better on set pieces,” he said, adding, “We’ll take the point and build from here.”
Looking Ahead for Manchester City
The draw leaves Manchester City needing to refine certain tactical elements, especially on the wings and set-piece defense, to maintain their Champions League aspirations. Guardiola’s decisions will likely be scrutinized further as City continue their European campaign.
