Our rockstar 22 year-old defender looks like Messi offensively, but like absolute shite defensively. What is the deal as of late?! It’s been a rough Premier League run for City as of late; with their last win coming October 24th. It’s still early in the season but they currently trail Liverpool by eight points. They’ve been anything but perfect in Champions League and the bad “joo joo” continued again Tuesday night at the Etihad against Feyenoord…and it was Gvardiol that started it.
City were in complete control of the match, leading 3-0 in the 75th minute. The game was all but over. However, a horrendous Gvardiol back pass that was meant for his goalkeeper, Ederson, didn’t make it halfway before the Dutch side scooped up the ball for the easy goal. OK, 3-1. Mistakes happen but City were still in good shape. However, in the 82′, Gvardiol would keep the entire Feyenoord offensive attack onside when the rest of his teammates moved up for the “trap”. The play would have been called off immediately if Gvardiol followed suit, but the Dutch side would instead score to make it 3-2. They would later equalize at 3-3 to force the draw (not Gvardiol’s fault) but he will be to blame for two of the goals.
Absolute horrific result for City who will now need some winning results in their final three matches of the campaign vs. Juventus, PSG and Club Brugge if they are going to fight for a top-8 bye.
Gvardiol has been one of our best offensive weapons these past 3 years.
Scoring big goals, flying up and down that left flank.
No Kovacic, no Rodri and and older midfielders for Man City puts tremendous pressure on back line.
Gvardiol is like our Gareth Bale.
He is our best winger.
As players get healthier, we will have depth at full back.
We can cultivate defenders.
Winger talent? Not so much.
Play his world class talent as our right winger and be done with this defensive criticism.
Gvardiol seems to be very well like by both his coaches (Guardiola and Dalic).
It doesn’t make sense to be that he played like an elite defender at WC2022, but somehow the defensive dropoff is so massive when he’s placed on the flank.
Maybe he needs a meaner coach. Have Gattuso or Bjelica to yell at him a bit. Force him to run back or get benched.
Maybe he needs to be played at CB
We have to try and find that perfect combination in our backline (whether it’s three or four at the back) with Gvardiol, Vuskovic and Stanisic playing key roles in the near future.
Do we aim to have a three at the back trio with a Gvardiol/Vuskovic/Stanisic?
Or do we go back four, by playing Sutalo in the middle with Gvardiol/Stanisic as the fullbacks?
Or maybe we just go with Gvardiol and Durdov as wingers (with a CB trio of Sutalo, Stanisic, and Vuskovic in the middle)?
I’d love to try out these young guys in injury time of our senior team. Glad Olic got exposed and hoping Vuskovic and Durdov continue to do well at their clubs.
Kotarski and DCC both started / playing
Both winning 2-0 currently
3pm
Luka Sucic v Sutalo both start
Ivanovic start
livakovic start
Kramaric start
Igor bench
Ha !
Prescient Anonymous
Archie Grey LB vs Roma today
Once again he’s a #6 / RB
Gvardiol like Archie has sufficient football IQ to play multiple positions
Suggesting otherwise is saying he’s a low IQ moron which he certainly is not
18 yo Archie Gray as played so far this season in his first PL
LB
LCB
RCB
RB
#6
That’s 5 positions – mostly in the back 4 – one game as #6
His best position – long-term is seen as a #6 / RB cover
There is no big drop off when he plays LB or LCB w his right foot (he’s clearly not as comfortable and there is some drop off as result but not significant)
All this to say please stop posting that Gvardiol as LB vs LCB is an excuses / explanation (not to mention he played LB in a back 3 at RB)
The game has evolved from players only being able / tasked to play in one strict position – managers seek / demand versatility
Ie Gvardiol should be able to play RB never mind LB
I think Anonymous might have a point about Gvardiol. If you look at the first goal the player heads it directly to him but he could have passed it to his other team mate that was more center and away from danger. Also, the last defender doesn’t even attempt to run and intercept the ball when he is through on goal…and he puts his hands up directly at Gvardiol.
The second goal with the offside trap, the other defenders stop running to mark their players after Gvardiol gets beat by the header. They were all just light jogging or didnt even attempt to stop the danger.
You’re telling me that City’s defence could keep a clean sheet and then when Gvardiol comes on they fall apart?
Although, we have experienced some situations where we see a weakness to Gvardiol for club and country but something seems fishy. Makes you wonder what would have happened if he went to another club and was developed more of a cb.
Also, it does seem that some teams expose his weakness by putting fast paced players on the wing and they attack his side.
Everything I saw said he started and played the whole game.
Yes, he played the whole match.
I’m amazed that there are some people on here claiming that Gvardiol was not at fault and the main culprit for the first Feyenoord goal. Not sure what game they were watching? lol
With so many injuries, Bjelica gave up on this match even before the KO. The starting 11 did not have a true number 9 instead playing Kacavenda up front. All other available attacking players such as Kulenovic, Pjaca, Spikic and Hoxha were on the bench and came on mid-way through the second half or later. It is obvious that he was keeping them in reserve for the big match against Hajduk this weekend.
Dinamo is currently 23rd (out of the 24 teams that can progress) with 7 points in 5 games (which averages to 1.4 points per game).
This means that they will likely need at least 11 points (a win and a draw) to barely scrape into the next round.
For this reason, Bjelica may have shot himself in the foot by prioritizing Champions League over the HNL.
Dinamo already made about 20 million Euro for qualifying for Champions League. The additional wins and draws are a nice bonus (700K Euro per point) and progressing to knockout playoffs would get them another million…
BUT…
Losing the HNL crown to a rival like Hajduk would be unforgivable, especially since the direct cost to Dinamo would be at least 20 million Euro (since Dinamo will likely be eligible for direct CL qualification next year).
Due to the HNL’s rising club coefficient, if Dinamo tops the HNL this season then they directly qualify for Champions League next season.
Showing a very good effort in Champions League (but still missing out on the knockout round) while losing the HNL title and direct CL qualification next season, may still end up being a fireable offense.
I’ve been thinking about this problem too. Dinamo’s reward for their successful CL campaign (direct qualifying next year) may be for nothing if they loose the HNL. If Hajduk wins the league, where will Hajduk’s CL qualifying campaign begin next year? I’m sure they’ll have to go through at least 3 rounds (maybe more?) of qualifying to make it into the group stage. In other words, if Hajduk (or Rijeka) win the league, we will most likely not have any teams in the CL next season.
Here are Dinamo’s prize money totals:
a. 18.9M Euro (just for qualifying for 24/25)
b. 4.9M Euro (for the 7 points they’ve grabbed so far)
c. 2.1M Euro (if they manage three more points this campaign)
d. 1M Euro (if they reach the knockout round playoff)
So, they’ve guaranteed themselves the first two (a & b) which amounts to 23.8 million Euro.
In a best case scenario, they would beat Celtic and qualify for the next round (c & d) which would increase their total to 26.9 million Euro.
It’s not worth the extra few million dollars in prize money this year and risk the HNL title with a chance for a guaranteed 18.9 million next year (or more, if they increase the prize money next season).
Bjelica is a good coach and has done well in Champions League, but he could still be royally screwed if Dinamo loses the title next season (especially if they don’t make it to the CL knockout rounds).
The injuries are very unfortunate, but I football executives are very impatient and results oriented. I hope he does well and stays on. I’m finally enjoying the HNL with these new coaches and parity between the top teams. I don’t want to see any stupid shortsighted decisions being made by management.
Your #s don’t include $$$ from the “Value Pillar” (media rights)
Dinamo has already earned EUR 33.8m
https://x.com/fmeetsdata/status/1862085276824420447
EUR 33.383m
This makes things even worse for Dinamo, if they fail to take the HNL title this season.
A win against Celtic is critical.
Hopefully we get most of these guys back by then.
lol
Just as Anonymous says the yellow card was nice to see
He is taken off
How did he do in the first half ?
He played well. Even with a full squad it would have been difficult to beat Dortmond. They are a very good team. Zagorac make 3 great save that could have easily been goals.
Just started watching 2nd half
That Baturina yellow card – showing some teeth – is the best thing I’ve ever seen him do
Standup for teammate and throw his weight around
More of that
Also that one nice drive up the right side earlier in the half and pass across
Massive opportunity for Pavic today
Is he ready to start in a big game ??
Just turned 18, first time I have seen him play. Hardley touched the ball in the first half. Hard to form an opinion on him but looks a bit on the slow side to me?
Hi Played played pretty good considering the caliber of opponent. Slipped on the 2nd goal when trying to block the shot. He is pretty strong for a 18yr old…..definitely some potential.
He is better suited as a CB. If he was playing as a CB for club & country he would be one of the best player in the world right now. He can be the Croatian Lothar Mattaus.
I don’t know for the 2nd one, it feels like at some point he kind of lost control and tripped or something and while at it just decided to try to engage defensively from where he got positioned. It was clumsy but it’s not like he gave a ball right in the foot of the opposite team. Which he kind of did the first time but not as concretely either – he kicked the ball wrong but his intention was ok imo, with the control he usually has.
I feel like what we call gaffes for Gvardiol would be called bad defending it it were other players, because we’re so used to seeing him on point.
In the end it’s true though that that’s not the type of imprecision he displays so it’s still fair to ask what’s up with him, but maybe I’d have chosen different terms to do so.
He’s been playing a lot and he’s young, and city and Croatia have been playing bad, so I feel like it’s not fair to put this much emphasis on his fault. I think the question is more ‘’what’s up with Pep and Dalić who overuse Gvardiol and can’t figure out alternatives when he might need a little break’’
He might have discovered Club Liv
imo this is like Bale scenario, he will be a winger with time. Too talented offensively to be held for defensive duties only esp for croatia
lol
How is the 1st goal Gvardiol’s fault ?
Akanji heads the ball to just turned 19 y.o. Simpson-Pusey (only his 3rd or 4th cap)
Simpson-Pusey takes a look into midfield – there is a Man City player open
But instead of heading it towards that midfielder (the right play) – decides to head the ball to Gvardiol towards goal who has 2 Feynoord players around him ready to pounce
That was a suicide pass into Gvardiol
What is Gvardiol supposed to do at that point when closed down in a second by 2 players ? Sure the pass back wasn’t great – but keeper could have been more alert – and Akanji just stood there watching the rest of the play develop / goal – zero effort (and that after the goal goes in looks at Gvardiol and raises his hands)
So the first goal’s fault is on Simpson-Pusey
Look at 2nd goal – it’s hard to argue there were playing the off-side trap – who was organizing it ? Akanji ? lol. Don’t see him directing either 19 y.o. Simpson-Pusey nor just turned 20 y.o. Lewis. Let’s not fantasize there was an off-side trap and Gvardiol didn’t get the memo.
Gvardiol has two players on that side – and does a very good job marking the player closes to him (who is “shielding” him from player who took the shot) – look at Akanji just standing there again (he figured the shot would hit the side netting not hit the post and bounce to player in front) – Akanji should have run back to cover the open player in from who scored – but again just standing there – and again after the goal looks at Gvardiol and waves the hands
Honestly – if Anonymous was to assess based purely on those two goals – they would surmise that his teammates are trying to make him look bad / sabotage him – to make room for Simpson-Pusey, Rico Lewis, and other young academy players take his place in the back-line – conspiracy stuff, sure, but that’s how it looks/comes across to the naked eye
Gvardi too big, too fast. He doesn’t even really play defense if you watch him. He’s like a hybrid player. A little D in the box and beyond that he’s looking to race. I’m sure MC and hopefully HNS are ready to tame this runner as he gets the fundamentals. I say he will be fine, or I agree with CROBRO he’s going to be in a new position. First goal was just stupid and that set doubt so I’d say he’s responsible for one, but it was a really bad mistake and for no reason.
Yes josko being torched by the media is to be expected but some of those English clowns are blaming him for ALL 3 goals which is comical.
The first is on him obviously but on the second he had 2 guys to mark and the angle of the goal was 100% on the keeper!
Then the last goal how do you Blame josko when the keeper again is in no man’s land ?
It’s never going to happen and a crazy idea but I wonder how josko would fare as an attacking mid?
For the few hoops fans on here we have an interesting game tomorrow starring the ivisic brothers illiinois vs Arkansas.
He was dreadful at Hampden when Doak tore him a new one. He is much better coming forward than when defending at left-back. I think he’s a better centre-back defensively but then you lose his attacking contribution.
Gvardiol has attention lapses. It’s a pretty typical phenomenon among people of his generation, but as an elite athlete, it’s pretty inexcusable. The water bottle incident in 2021 is an early example, but also in recent matches for Croatia, he has had inexplicable lapses of attention, such as losing the ball out the sideline while unmarked on one of the final possessions in the loss against scotland, where the team needed to keep possession and score a goal. He actually has a very strong ability to defend. The problem is that he loses focus frequently, leading to stupid mistakes.
This is good for josko. He is not the best in one vs one situations, he gives the opposition player too much space as a full back and teams are trying to exploit this. He will learn from this and becoming a stronger all round player. It’s through hardship that we learn the most
Unfortunately, Gvardiol is prone to costly defensive mistakes and that has been the case since he started playing in the senior ranks for Dinamo, it’s just that people were reluctant to criticise him mainly because of his youth thinking that he was going to learn quickly from his mistakes.
There has been very little negativity about his mistakes in Croatian media or Soccer programs on Cro TV until recently when people have finally started to point out his defensive frailties especially his positioning and inability to anticipate which is crucial when marking speedy players or playing a high defensive line.
Even on this site there are very few people willing to criticise Gvardiol for his mistakes and we are not talking about a few mistakes which all players make, but heaps of mistakes that Gvardiol has made while playing for Croatia over the last couple of years as a CB or LB. On one Croatian forum somebody has given him a new name Josko (Rupa/ or hole in English) Gvardiol.
His defensive performances for Man City have also dipped of late and the English media have jumped on this, and one can only hope that Gvardiol will be able to cope with all the negativity. He needs to realise that he is a defender, and his primary task is to stop the opposition from scoring. His confidence must be down, so for now he needs to go back to basics and avoid any fancy or risky passing around the box and if in doubt boot the ball up field. He has had a very heavy workload so a bit of time on the bench might also help.
Crnac’s Norwich 6-1 vs. Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth
Crnac’s first goal for Norwich in the 82′ min
He played the full 90 min – look at that HUNGER and DESIRE he still has in the 82′ min to force the defender to cough up the ball
Excellent finish with his left-foot
Norwich has finally being playing Crnac as the #9 for the last couple of games (Josh Seargant is injured)
Look how happy his team-mates are for him to score his first (this tells us they respect young Crnac, he probably works his socks off in training and he’s a good team-mate to them)
Once again – we need to see this HUNGER and DESIRE from more of our young players – sure Crnac is still “raw” and has lost to work on – but Championship is a serious level for his to develop at
FOTMOB 8.5 (2nd highest ranked Norwich) Sofascore 7.9 (3rd highest rank)
***.youtube.com/watch?v=LBnU0xRibJ8
It’s his second goal but the first one scored at home. He needs to start getting them goals in.
You’re right – 1st goal at home
If you look at the full highlights – he is involved in 5 of 6 goals (he had a couple hockey assists too) – drop deep to start build-up (drawing CBs to him) – his pressing (intercepting ball) – some dribbling – his runs (w/out the ball) – his movement into/around the box – etc
His all-around play is what stands out – work-rate excellent – running – desire and hunger to keep pushing the whole game – but he’s still “raw”
He could have had a hat-trick (hit post once, header in front keeper saved)
Too many people judge a striker/#9 purely based on G/A – that’s only a part of the picture – if you look at Tottenham B-team vs. Man City 4-0 – Solanke didn’t score – but was one of the most important players as his all-around play is priceless in helping the team achieve the result
That’s where I think folks miss/under-rate Igor’s contributions and over-rate Budimir’s contributions (bc they just see the goals – but don’t critique the rest of his contributions (or lack thereof))