Man City weigh psychological pressure and tactical gaps after three straight defeats
Manchester City head into the international break six points behind Arsenal after three consecutive losses, with questions over the impact of the club's financial-rules appeal and Maresca's midfield setup.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca faces a disrupted squad during the international break, with his side having slipped six points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal after three consecutive defeats. The run followed a flawless start in which City won seven straight league games. The club was found guilty of breaking the Premier League's financial rules in September and is awaiting the outcome of its appeal, with possible sanctions unresolved.
Sports psychologist Dr Paul McCarthy, who has 25 years of experience working with clubs in England, Scotland, Germany and France, told BBC Sport that uncertainty about the future can be more stressful than bad news because it removes a sense of control. He said players discuss topical and uncertain events like anyone else, and that repeated losses can erode a squad's collective belief in its ability to win.
On the pitch, defensive problems have been exposed. City did not concede from individual errors in their first seven games, but four player mistakes have led to goals in the last three. They have conceded 13 goals in 10 league games, their highest tally at this stage since 2008-09, when they had let in 16.
Maresca has used a 3-1-6 shape more permanently this season, sacrificing a second holding midfielder for an extra attacker. Much focus falls on Elliot Anderson, a naturally roaming midfielder being converted into a sitting midfielder after Rodri's summer departure. Opponents have drawn him out of position, and Enzo Fernandez's forward runs can leave City with as few as two or three players behind the ball.
Maresca has pointed to losing possession and duels as the source of transitions conceded. Concerns also surround the players behind Anderson: Gianluigi Donnarumma is not known for his ball-playing, and the defence has made costly errors playing out from the back. The departures of Rodri and Bernardo Silva, who dropped deep to carry the ball forward, have made those issues more visible, and the article suggests Ayyoub Bouaddi could offer a build-up option.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
