Manchester City: 5 Lessons Pep Guardiola should learn from Celtic draw

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 28: Manchester City manger Pep Guardiola reacts on the side line during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and Manchester City FC at Celtic Park on September 28, 2016 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 28: Manchester City manger Pep Guardiola reacts on the side line during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and Manchester City FC at Celtic Park on September 28, 2016 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) /
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Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder Nolito (C) celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with Manchester City’s Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero (L) and Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder David Silva during the UEFA Champions League Group C football match between Celtic and Manchester City at Celtic Park stadium in Glasgow, Scotland on September 28, 2016. / AFP / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)
Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder Nolito (C) celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with Manchester City’s Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero (L) and Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder David Silva during the UEFA Champions League Group C football match between Celtic and Manchester City at Celtic Park stadium in Glasgow, Scotland on September 28, 2016. / AFP / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images) /

5. Reconsider midfield without De Bruyne

Pep Guadiola once again fielded a midfield with three players centrally. In this game it was David Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Fernandinho. In previous games, Kevin De Bruyne was a pivotal part of that area of the team.

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De Bruyne is facing time on the sidelines, though, and Guardiola may have to revisit his midfield moving forward. The trio have worked together well at times and not so much at others. The balance is questionable.

Gundogan often gets caught up the field ahead of the ball and Silva is not particularly quick these days. The Spaniard never was but now he’s even slower than ever. Fernandinho isn’t afraid to go wandering either.

De Bruyne works hard and he can get back and help cover when necessary, but Silva can’t be relied upon to do that. Neither can Gundogan when he’s on his back somewhere in the opponents penalty box.

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Either Gundogan needs to sit and hold his position more whilst De Bruyne is out or Silva might need to be replaced in that part of the team. In games where City totally dominate the ball, everything will look great.

But in games like the one against Celtic, the City midfield looks a little slow, open and vulnerable.