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Welcome to The Debrief, a column on Sky Sports where Adam Bate explores pivotal narratives from recent Premier League encounters. This week’s highlights include:
Tottenham’s defensive vulnerabilities
Gundogan regaining his touch at Manchester City
Malen’s impressive contributions at Aston Villa
Following Tottenham’s 4-2 loss to Wolves, manager Ange Postecoglou expressed frustration not at the effort of his players, but at a collection of critical individual errors. “It’s not like they are doing it on purpose,” he remarked. “If it were a tactical failure, I would be more upset, but these were personal mistakes.”
The blunders made by Tottenham during the match were puzzling. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario displayed an unusual level of uncertainty, while Cristian Romero’s failure to effectively contest for the ball contributed to Wolves’ third goal. Lucas Bergvall’s ease in relinquishing possession to Matheus Cunha for the fourth goal only compounded Tottenham’s woes.
Data from Opta indicates that two of Tottenham’s second-half mistakes were classified as errors leading to goals, a troubling trend for the team as it marked the first time in a year that they had conceded that many in a single Premier League match. However, attributing this performance to sheer bad luck would overlook larger issues highlighted by Postecoglou.
The team’s structure appeared frail, struggling particularly with aerial duels. Wolves effectively exploited the available space, pushing Tottenham defenders into isolated positions, resulting in significant gaps across the defensive line. The team’s inability to effectively manage this aerial threat left them vulnerable throughout the match.
Postecoglou’s counterpart, Vitor Pereira, had a rich understanding of his approach, having previously faced him in the Asian Champions League. When questioned post-match about whether he viewed Tottenham’s mistakes as random or a byproduct of Wolves’ pressing style, he illuminated the strategic nature of football. He indicated that their training set them up to exploit Tottenham’s high defensive line and that once they started winning second balls, they created opportunities for further attack.
Pereira’s remarks suggest that while Tottenham’s players made crucial errors, the tactical setup of Wolves was instrumental in pressuring and capitalizing on Spurs’ defensive frailties.
Spurs have significant defensive issues; only the bottom three teams in the league allow more chances than they do. Despite having key defenders sidelined, which may excuse some shortcomings, the persistent defensive lapses raise ongoing concerns about the team’s stability. Meanwhile, attention shifts towards their upcoming fixture against Eintracht Frankfurt, with expectations that Postecoglou will need to swiftly address these vulnerabilities amidst growing scrutiny.
Gundogan Reclaims Form
In Manchester City’s commanding 5-2 victory over Crystal Palace, manager Pep Guardiola was asked about the potential of James McAtee stepping up to fill the gap left by Kevin De Bruyne’s absence. Guardiola, cautious to not overburden any individual, suggested that another experienced player might be crucial in easing the transition — Ilkay Gundogan.
While De Bruyne orchestrated plays, Gundogan shone by completing 68 of 70 passes, boasting an impressive accuracy of 97.1%, the highest among outfield players. Guardiola noted Gundogan’s resurgence, observing similarities with his previous top-form performances, particularly during City’s successful treble and quadruple seasons.
Gundogan himself acknowledged a shift within the team, highlighting a renewed aggression off the ball that is benefiting his gameplay. Guardiola confirmed this perspective, emphasizing the importance of team dynamics in enhancing individual performances.
Since the holiday period, Gundogan has shown a remarkable turnaround, contributing significantly to the team since being reintegrated into the starting lineup. At 35, as he approaches the next stage of his career, his adaptability and experience remain invaluable to City’s ambitions.
Malen’s Impact at Villa
Donyell Malen, after his arrival at Aston Villa, shared his ambition to thrive and score crucial goals in the Premier League. He is achieving this well, scoring three goals in his last three league matches, all of which showcase his striking ability, echoing his initial efforts against Brighton.
The Dutch forward currently boasts the highest strike rate in the Premier League this season, averaging over a goal per 90 minutes played. His sharpshooting has propelled him into the spotlight, and he is expected to play a vital role moving forward, particularly in the absence of Jhon Duran.
Although he is ineligible for the upcoming Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain, Malen’s remarkable performance since joining Villa demonstrates his potential as a key player in Unai Emery’s setup. His offensive contributions have quickly endeared him to fans and signaled a promising future for both him and the club as they continue to pursue their goals.
Source
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