“I Can't remember a season where we have dominated the big teams so much and got so little out of it”, Vincent Kompany – 27/04/2017.
Goals:
Line Up (4-2-3-1) (match ratings in brackets);
Bravo (5.5), (Caballero 74' (5.5))
Zabaleta (6.5)
Kolorov (6.5)
Otamendi (7)
Kompany (8)
Toure (6.5)
Sterling (6), (de Jesus 86' (7))
Fernandinho (7)
Sané (6), (Navas 66' (6.5))
De Bruyne(7)
Agüero (7.5)
Bravo (5.5), (Caballero 74' (5.5))
Zabaleta (6.5)
Kolorov (6.5)
Otamendi (7)
Kompany (8)
Toure (6.5)
Sterling (6), (de Jesus 86' (7))
Fernandinho (7)
Sané (6), (Navas 66' (6.5))
De Bruyne(7)
Agüero (7.5)
Referee; Martin Atkinson (7.5)
Stats;Possession, 69%/31%; Shots, 19(6)/3(1); Corners, 7/4; Fouls, 10/8
I shan't drain the match report. The stats above speak for themselves and I doubt there's many fans' who have not seen at least the highlights by now.
Ultimately, "the boring one" came for the draw or perhaps a break-away goal, and will be the happier of the two managers (save perhaps for Fellaini being a plank and getting a straight red card for a head butt on Agüero on 84'). Pep had set out two conventional full-backs which accounted for any counter-attacks, but also lessened the number of overloads achieved on either wing; at least until it became obvious United were simply not a threat (after around 70 minutes), which was too little too late. Result nil nil.
There were some insights into Pep's thoughts, not just on this game but for the summer, in his after match interview. He mentioned the full-back swap, and was somewhat damning of the lack of miles using 30+ players in those positions gives the team, so we can expect (long over-due) transfers in both full-back positions to be a priority.
He mentioned mentality again, and with this repeated message Pep probably still believes the shots against the woodwork, and lack of confidence to get into the box are a mentality rather than a skill issue.
He also wistfully reflected on what might have been had Gabriel Jesus been available for the whole season. Jesus certainly had a marked impact on the game for the ten minutes he was the pitch. He was the only player to get the ball in the net on 91', heading home Agüero's cross before the flag was rightfully raised for offside. This blog has always placed the lack of firepower as partially due to the Bony for Dzeko swap on Pellegrini's watch, but you have to agree the season may have ended differently with both Jesus and Aguero available for the last three months, and this is a positive for the remaining games.
Other positives? The immediate impact Kompany is having on the defence, he was immense last night and all around him look better players for his inclusion, especially Otamendi who again looked solid. Also Agüero continues to benefit from having Jesus breathing down his neck, he was very unlucky last night, hitting the post on 9' and having nine efforts in total, mostly created by himself.
The negatives were obvious. I'm not sure the Bravo injury will have any great impact, but the continued inability to convert possession and efforts to actual goals is now exasperating. Sterling and DeBruyne are the main culprits, but over the last two games Sane has also shown a lack of confidence and positivity - City need to load the box far more and for some reason don't. Perhaps it is the mental fragility alluded to by Pep. However, with a point, a top four finish remains in City's own hands, with a game in hand over Liverpool and with winnable fixture's remaining it would be a disaster to throw that away. Here's hoping the officiating stays as solid as it was last night and we don't lose any more points to referees. #CTID.
@l0ngwayfr0mh0me
