City's Four Changes For Saints Match

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Post on Oct 26, 2024

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City's Four Changes for Saints Match: A Tactical Masterclass or Just Desperate?

The Manchester City squad for the Saints clash was a bit of a surprise, right? Pep Guardiola went and made four changes to the lineup that beat Newcastle just a few days before. Now, some might call it bold, some might call it risky, but hey, we're talking about Pep, so we're just gonna call it strategic.

So, what was the deal with those changes? Let's break it down:

1. Kyle Walker In, João Cancelo Out:

The first change was a real head-scratcher. Kyle Walker came back in after being out for a while, and he slotted straight into the right-back position. Meanwhile, João Cancelo, who was absolutely flying in recent weeks, got benched. Was it just a case of giving Walker some minutes, or was Pep playing a different tactical game?

2. Stones Over Akanji:

Next up, we saw John Stones start ahead of Manuel Akanji. Both are top defenders, but Stones has been starting more regularly lately, and it looks like Pep trusts him for the big games. This could be a sign of things to come, or maybe it's just Pep's usual way of keeping everyone on their toes.

3. Rodri and De Bruyne Back in the Mix:

Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne returned to the starting XI, after being rested against Newcastle. This was a big deal, as they're two of City's most important players. Pep clearly felt like they were needed for the Saints game, and it showed.

4. Foden Gets the Nod Over Alvarez:

And finally, we saw Phil Foden starting ahead of Julian Alvarez. Foden has been in great form recently, and Pep obviously felt he was the best option for the game. It was a tough decision, as Alvarez has been performing really well too.

Overall, it was a pretty interesting lineup from Pep. He seems to be looking for different solutions and experimenting with different players. Did it work? Well, we'll have to wait and see.

This is what makes following City so exciting, though. It's never predictable, and there's always a new tactical twist around the corner. We just gotta hope Pep's got the right recipe this time!