Manchester City’s loss to Manchester United in the FA Cup final surely will be a hard pill to swallow, considering the fact that the Cityzens were favorites going into the game.
However, Pep Guardiola’s tactical choices were instrumental in their defeat.
Two first-half goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo ensured the Red Devils were the new FA Cup champions, despite a late consolation goal from Jeremie Doku late in the game, as per The Guardian.
Sports Buddy had revealed in previous article, the five things Manchester United must do to defeat Pep Guardila’s team in the FA Cup final. The points listed where:
- Exploit City’s high defensive line with pace and direct play
- Close to zero margin for error
- Take your chances
- Solid Defense
- Set-Piece Threat
Sports Buddy, in this article, takes a look at three tactical errors made by City manager Pep Guardiola, that led to his team’s loss in the final.
What are the 3 tactical errors made by Guardiola costing City the FA Cup trophy?
Starting unfit players
Choosing to start Nathan Ake and John Stones, who had both just returned from injury, was a bold but ultimately ineffective move by Pep Guardiola.
These returning defenders had a significant task in the FA Cup final due to its fast-paced and fierce character against Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford of Manchester United.
Throughout the game, their obvious lack of match fitness and focus brought attention to how risky Guardiola’s choice was, which eventually proved expensive for Manchester City.
Cautious play from the start
Manchester City’s first-half strategy leaned heavily towards caut, inadvertently empowering Manchester United to gain momentum. The typical attacking flair and intensity associated with City were noticeably absent as they faced difficulty coping with United’s press and counter-attacks.
This cautious approach allowed United to control the tempo of the game and strategically choose their attacking opportunities.
Should have started Jeremy Doku
The game changed when Jeremy Doku’s introduction came a little too late as Manchester United were already two goals up.
The youthful winger scored a consolation goal and almost created another, giving City’s attack a much-needed boost of speed and intensity.
Doku’s early substitution for the underperforming Mateo Kovacic would have provided City a more potent and exciting attack from the start.
