Kit Symons has said that Ruben Dias could have done better for the opening goal from Crystal Palace against Manchester City during their 2-2 draw.
He broke down the defending from Dias amongst many that led to Jean-Philippe Mateta’s tap-in during City’s official full-time show on their YouTube channel.
After the clash, Janusz Michallik also claimed that the treble-winner is “struggling” so far this campaign.
Kit Symons says Manchester City defender Ruben Dias could have done better for the opening Crystal Palace goal
Despite being in cruise control for much of the contest, Pep Guardiola’s side capitulated in a manner that has become far too much of a theme this season.
A simple long ball from Palace somehow put City’s defence in sixes and sevens as the floodgates opened for their first goal.
Kit Symons analysed how the Manchester City defenders, especially Ruben Dias should have done a better job to keep Crystal Palace at bay during the build-up to the strike.
“Well, there’s a few mistakes, you actually look at the goal and [Kyle] Walker thinks [Ruben] Dias is going to deal with it, so he just sort of ambles back. Dias doesn’t really get tight enough, lets the cross come in too easy. [Nathan] Ake thinks Dias is going to deal with it so [Jean-Philippe] Mateta gambles and gets across the front”, he said on Manchester City’s official full-time show on their YouTube channel.
The defensive structure was all over the place
Kit Symons is right as Ruben Dias’ positioning was all over the place as Crystal Palace striker Jean Philippe-Mateta eventually got on the scoresheet against Manchester City.
But in all fairness, the defensive structure did not help Dias either.
In situations where the Sky Blues are tasked to stop such counter-attacks, one wonders why Kyle Walker, who is an expert in such situations was caught high up the pitch.
It seems like there is a doubt about whether the Englishman is meant to be a centre-back in a back three in possession or operate as a right wing-back as he has done for much of this season.
While Walker was quite withdrawn for most of the game, there were also moments where he was bombing forward.
Kyle Walker was unable to put his biggest strength into action due to how he has used and as a result, it may be time for Pep Guardiola to ensure that he is a part of their three-man defence in possession at all times.
