COMMENT
Two things have preoccupied Pep Guardiola about his Manchester City team in recent weeks. First, he has been dissatisfied with his players in “both boxes”, as he says. City have not been able to make full use of the chances that come their way while - at the same time - being too generous at the other end. Opportunities inside their own area are finishing too often in goals.
Second, the “second balls”. Guardiola has spent an inordinate amount of time worrying about second balls. He’s seen his team lose challenges, cede possession and concede goals on the breaking ball all season long.