Manchester City’s defeat to Nottingham Forest was what can happen to a rebuilding team | OneFootball

Manchester City fell to a 1-nil defeat to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground today. Callum Hudson-Odoi’s 83rd-minute strike was enough to see Nuno Espirito Santo’s side pick up a crucial three points. But if one word can sum up Manchester City’s defeat to Nottingham Forest it would be frustrating. That is what City’s performance was. But that is also what rebuilding teams can dish up as we saw today.

There was plenty to like about Manchester City’s performance today. Abdukodir Khusanov was superb for Pep Guardiola’s side. Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol also played well at the back. There were also positives in how Pep Guardiola’s side controlled the game, especially in the first half. But the frustration set in up front for Manchester City. That’s where the signs that City are a rebuilding team are obvious to see.

Jeremy Doku, Savinho, Phil Foden and Erling Haaland were picked up front by Pep Guardiola today. But as the game unfolded they couldn’t get into the game. Doku and Savinho in particular did get into good positions at times. But they lacked any end product to have an impact on today’s match. Phil Foden couldn’t get into the game at all. Erling Haaland also suffered the same fate as Foden. Nottingham Forest’s defence and tactical set up frustrated Pep Guardiola’s side and they deserve credit for that.

But there was a lack of maturity to City’s attacking play. In years gone by we have seen Pep Guardiola’s side methodically pick apart teams who play in the manner that Forest did today. But City lack that aspect to their play right now. It is a learned trait and one that Jeremy Doku and Savinho do have to learn. The pair of dynamic wingers are both young players who need to learn what is required to play against team’s like Nottingham Forest. For now, at least, they don’t have the consistency in their games to overcome stubborn opponents. That’s what we saw during Manchester City’s defeat today.

Manchester City fell to a frustrating defeat today at the City Ground. They also lost ground in the race to secure Champions League football for next season. But it should be remembered that they are a rebuilding team now. They aren’t the finished product. Pep Guardiola’s side are far from that. That stood out today as City showed there is plenty to work with, although it isn’t refined just yet as we’ve come to expect from a Pep Guardiola side.