Trying to Find the Best Manchester City Defensive Mix Is No Simple Task Right Now

Enzo Maresca has plenty of work to do over the international break as his Manchester City side have lost their past three matches in the Premier League.

Several obvious flaws have been exposed during this run, with the defensive setup proving particularly open to exploitation.

A lot of these issues stem from a midfield that is far too open, leaving the backline exposed to situations that are nearly impossible to contain. Compounding the problem, Maresca has yet to establish a clear first-choice back four. Finding that right combination is no easy task right now because the majority of City defenders are either out of form or hampered.

Nico O’Reilly has been dealing with a back injury since a 1-0 win over Coventry City in early September. Meanwhile, Marc Guehi sustained a hip injury that forced him to withdraw from the England squad for the upcoming international fixtures.

The absence of O’Reilly has forced Josko Gvardiol into regular starts at left-back, where his form has dipped. Gvardiol is frequently caught too far up the pitch acting as an extra attacker, leaving him unable to recover defensively. On other occasions, he has been too passive in preventing crosses.

Manchester city coach enzo maresca ahead of the premier league match at the etihad stadium manchester date saturday august

Enzo Maresca has also deployed Abdukodir Khusanov at right-back rather than in his natural centre-back position. Matheus Nunes is the club’s best option at right-back, and a wise move going forward is for Nunes to start there in the majority of matches. Rico Lewis currently looks more like a squad player, while Rayan Ait-Nouri remains a non-factor for Maresca at left-back.

Ruben Dias, the Manchester City captain and a mainstay in defence, has looked imperious at times but lost and slow on others. Vitor Reis has seen only sparse action this season, though his pace and reading of the game offer an alternative.

Gianluigi Donnarumma has also struggled between the posts, making costly errors that add another layer of instability to the backline. What the final defensive makeup will be remains not immediately clear based on the current form and fitness of the squad.