This is what happens when your team just isn't equipped to win a league tittle, mentally or technically speaking. I'm essentially going to repeat some of the things I said after the game against United. Those things were true before, during and after that game.
Last season, we faced a glaring issue that was evident to everyone, week in and week out: conceding goals within the first 20 minutes in a staggering 80% of our matches, leaving us to play catch-up for the remainder. Despite playing 38 games without a remedy, we find ourselves in the same predicament this season, with no signs of improvement. It's ironic that this year, our ability to salvage a couple of goals masks the underlying problem. However, this pattern is not surprising. As we reach the months of March, April, and May, opposing teams adopt a highly pragmatic approach, fueled by various motives such as avoiding relegation or securing European berths. Consequently, what could have been a manageable 1-0 victory turns into an insurmountable challenge. It's disheartening to see a team aspiring to compete for the toughest league title in Europe consistently starting each game with a deficit, rendering them a mockery in the eyes of their rivals. Make no mistake, this is what this team is, a joke.
Don't feed me that 'If you don't support us when we lose, don't support us when we're winning' nonsense. This team, in its current form, is nothing but a joke. You can't claim to be serious contenders for any significant title or competition when you consistently concede goals within the first 20 minutes, whether playing at home or away, and regardless of who you're facing (tittle contender, mid table, relegation candidates, etc.) for two consecutive years. It's unacceptable. This right there is, first and foremost, a mentality issue and furthermore, it is indicative of a problem to fix within this squad, one way or another.
The other issue boils down to one thing: goals. In my book, Jota and Salah are the only forwards I see as indispensable. While the rest of the frontline boasts talent, they fall short of the caliber needed to clinch titles in such a competitive league. When up against a club like City, whose players possess immense individual quality, you know someone will produce a moment of brilliance and net a couple of goals. Relying on a forward like Nunez as your primary striker doesn't align with the ambition of a team vying for the league title. Spare me the empty rhetoric about Nunez potentially becoming a 'world beater' with improved finishing. Frankly, I couldn't care less about such speculation; what matters is performance on the pitch. We've endured two seasons of hearing this hopeful mantra, yet Nunez's failure to convert clear-cut chances, with about 15 missed opportunities in the past three games alone, speaks volumes. If you believe he'll suddenly transform into prime Luis Suarez, that's your prerogative, but don't expect those of us with a clear view to buy into such wishful thinking.
The same critique applies to Diaz, albeit to a lesser extent, as he fits the mold of a traditional winger who excels in one-on-one situations, cutting inside, and taking shots from the edge of the box. He delivers what was expected of him, unlike Mane, whose playing style differs significantly. Does this make Diaz inadequate? Not necessarily. However, should he be our primary left winger? Certainly not, especially if we intend to maintain our trademark gegenpressing style honed over the past decade. To succeed in this system, we require two wingers who can consistently find the back of the net, along with a highly creative false nine or a number nine capable of scoring. In my view, depending on the preferences of the next coach, I'm inclined to entertain the idea of selling Diaz to Paris for a handsome sum, giving Jota to the starting left wing position, and reinvesting the funds in securing a goal-scoring forward.
The gap in the number 6 position also demands attention. While I'm grateful to Endo for his contributions, the reality remains: if you aspire to be a top-tier club, contending for titles, then a world-class number 6 is non-negotiable. Look around at the top clubs in Europe; it's no coincidence that they all boast a world-class player in that pivotal role, or some variation thereof, whether through different midfield formations designed to shore up the defensive line. It's a fundamental piece in the puzzle of success at the highest level.
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