Guardiola's ‘tactically poor’ decision-making cost City

Manchester City were undone in the Champions League by a spirited Olympique Lyon and the blame lies solely on Pep Guardiola’s shoulders.

Manchester City were threatening all night but failed to make their chances pay dividends. In the end, the superior proficiency of Olympique Lyon knocked out the English side.

Raheem Sterling has caught flak for his open goal miss. Tony Cascarino does not believe the English attacker is solely to blame for the defeat. That burden is on Pep Guardiola’s shoulders and his team selection.

It was not only the team selection that raised eyebrows. The former Chelsea player could not understand the crossing tactics employed when there was no one to head the ball home.

“Pep only plays his way, normally. I say that because the Champions League performances have been tactically very different,” Cascarino told TalkSPORT.

“I’m watching a team last night cross the ball numerous times during the game. When they cross the ball on the floor they’re very dangerous.”

“Sterling’s had loads of tap-ins – I know he missed the one last night – but he’s had loads of tap-ins at the far post. When they do that, they’re brilliant.”

“When they’re crossing the ball and no one can head the ball, why? I came away thinking there were so many things that were wrong last night.”

“It wasn’t like Barcelona against Bayern Munich but it was tactically poor from a coach renowned to be one of the best but he’s only going to play his way. His biggest crime is he didn’t play the way Pep has done in the Premier League.”