From a 15-match unbeaten start to three losses in 18 days, Manchester City’s title defense in the English Premier League has unexpectedly hit a wall.
That the slump has coincided with the absence of Fernandinho is surely no coincidence.
The defensive midfielder from Brazil has been one of the unsung heroes in Pep Guardiola’s remarkable team, providing protection for the defense and a robust platform for its dynamic attacking play.
A former box-to-box midfielder, Fernandinho also chips in with the odd goal. It is only when he is not around that he is really appreciated.
City slipped to their first defeat of the season — a 2-0 loss at Chelsea on Dec. 8 — with Fernandinho in the starting lineup, but that was regarded as an anomaly. City dominated the first half, wasting chances before being hit by two second-half goals.
He was missing, injured with a thigh injury, when City lost 3-2 at home to Crystal Palace and 2-1 away to Leicester City either side of Christmas, when Guardiola’s team put in almost unrecognizable displays.
There is a good chance he will not play today, either, when City look to revive their title challenge at Southampton amid the 20th round of fixtures.
City have dropped to third place, seven points behind Liverpool and one adrift of Tottenham Hotspur.
Defensively, City have looked fragile in Fernandinho’s absence, with his replacements — John Stones, a center-back briefly converted to center midfield, and Ilkay Gundogan — not in his class as a shield for the back four.
Whether it is his positioning, his reading of the game or his astutely timed fouls that stop opposition breakaways, Fernandinho is key to the way City balance attack and defense and has been previously described by Guardiola as “a fundamental player for us” and one of the best midfield anchormen.
Guardiola wanted a backup for the 33-year-old in the off-season, but failed in a bid to sign Italy’s Jorginho, who snubbed City’s offer in favor of following Maurizio Sarri from SSC Napoli to Chelsea.
City did not have enough time to land any of their other potential targets, so went into the season with just one proper holding midfielder. It has proven to be the team’s big weakness, relying too much on Fernandinho being fit.
Guardiola could turn to Ajax youngster Frenkie de Jong in the off-season, but, more immediately, he will hope Fernandinho returns quickly. The Spanish coach has already said he would not be buying anyone in next month’s window.
Even if Fernandinho has a chance to return for the Southampton game, Guardiola would be wise to make sure he is fully fit for the home match against Liverpool on Thursday, given the significance of that fixture to the title race.
One thing going in Guardiola’s favor in his most testing spell this season is the return of creative midfielders Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva, who could both start at St Mary’s Stadium alongside Gundogan.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely