Manchester City coach, Pep Guardiola, expressed his dissatisfaction with the performances of Ruben Dias and Mateo Kovacic in their match against Wolves, which ended in a 2-1 loss for City.
Guardiola shared his thoughts on the game with Manchester Evening News, highlighting the areas where both players fell short.
Guardiola observed common weaknesses in the performances of Ruben Dias and Mateo Kovacic during the match against Wolves.
He pointed out that both players, whom he typically regards highly, seemed to struggle during this game.
Guardiola specifically mentioned that their lack of precision with the ball hindered Manchester City’s attacking capabilities.
While Ruben Dias has been widely praised, especially for his performances last season, Guardiola noted that even he had an off day with the ball against Wolves.
On the other hand, Kovacic, who has been an excellent addition to City’s midfield, struggled significantly during this match.
Guardiola emphasized the challenges faced by Kovacic and Dias against a well-defending Wolves team, where they were tasked with breaking through the opponent’s central defense.
However, according to Guardiola, they were not successful in this aspect.
Mateo Kovacic, in particular, received criticism for his performance during the match, being singled out as the poorest player on the pitch alongside Nathan Ake.
Kovacic’s passing accuracy was questioned, as he continuously attempted high passes to find Haaland behind Wolves’ defense, resulting in a loss of control for City.
Defensively, Kovacic faced a challenging time along with Nathan Ake, trying to halt Wolves’ transitions effectively.
While Dias also faced difficulties during the match, Kovacic’s performance indicated that the defensive midfield role, especially as Rodri’s replacement, may not be suitable for him.
Guardiola was dissatisfied with the performances of Ruben Dias and Mateo Kovacic in the match against Wolves, pinpointing issues related to ball control and attacking effectiveness.
Despite their previous successes, both players faced challenges in breaking down Wolves’ defense and executing their roles effectively. Kovacic, in particular, was criticized for his passing accuracy and defensive efforts.
