Manchester City’s bid for a historic quadruple was ended by Chelsea in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final – with pundits highlighting Pep Guardiola’s team selection as a factor.
Games are coming thick and fast for City, as they play in the Premier League, the Carabao Cup final and the Champions League over the next 11 days.
And that hectic schedule may have played a part in Guardiola’s decision to make eight changes for the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley – with Hakim Ziyech giving Thomas Tuchel’s side a 1-0 win.
“There were so many changes that had a negative impact on City,” ex-Tottenham and Newcastle midfielder Jermaine Jenas said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“The front three just didn’t function at all. I can’t believe Guardiola didn’t start his best team today.”
But how much was the outcome down to Guardiola’s selections, and how much down to Tuchel’s tactics?
Just three days before facing Chelsea, Manchester City beat Borussia Dortmund to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time under Guardiola.
For large parts of Saturday’s semi-final, though, a much-changed City struggled to build any rhythm.
“Eight [changes] is a little bit much,” former Manchester City defender Micah Richards said on BBC One.
“City had no spark. Because of the Champions League, they looked a bit leggy. I have to give credit to Chelsea. They made them only have little chances.”
Former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon believes Guardiola may come to regret his approach for this game.
“When Guardiola looks back at this, he’ll think his team missed an opportunity,” said Dixon.
“If City have two or three trophies at the end of the season it’ll be fine, but they’ll be disappointed about this for a while.”
