How do Manchester City get the most out of Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush? | OneFootball

One of the frustrations for Manchester City during their 1-nil defeat to Nottingham Forest was their inability to create any chances of note across the full 90 minutes. Pep Guardiola’s side dominated possession but were well contained by a disciplined and determined Nottingham Forest defence and tactical set-up. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side deserves credit for their defensive performance and willingness to stick to Nuno’s gameplan at the City Ground.

But from a Manchester City point of view, the lack of service on Saturday for Erling Haaland was frustrating to watch unfold. The situation didn’t change after Omar Marmoush came on midway through the second half. Both players thrive with their ability to get in behind the opponent’s defence. Nottingham Forest took that away from Pep Guardiola’s side last Saturday with their packed defence and low defensive block. But at times when Haaland and Marmoush did make runs in behind the Forest defence the ball never came. We have seen this occur before. More so with Erling Haaland rather than Marmoush who is a new arrival at Manchester City. But it did stand out during Saturday’s match at the City Ground.

Several times in the second half of Manchester City’s defeat we saw Omar Marmoush make a run from deep. His aim was to get in behind the Forest defence. But the ball was never played. Bernardo Silva was guilty of this on several occasions. We know Pep Guardiola’s philosophy is reliant on his team maintaining control of games. That’s what Bernardo Silva was adhering to. But you do sense that, on occasion, it is worth Manchester City attempting to find the runner, whether it’s Haaland or Marmoush. If nothing else, it will give their opponents something different to think about.

Perhaps it is also an issue with who Manchester City have in their squad and perhaps it is something that won’t change until the summer.

When you look at who Manchester City started against Nottingham Forest you did feel that the creativity to break open Forest was in the Manchester City starting eleven. Erling Haaland was named upfront. Jeremy Doku and Savinho were on the wings. Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva played just behind Haaland. On paper at least, the quality was there to utilise Haaland’s strengths. But this season Foden hasn’t been at his best. That may not return until next season. The same can be said about Bernardo Silva. Jeremy Doku and Savinho toiled away but couldn’t create any chances of real substance against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.

On the City bench were Omar Marmoush, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Jack Grealish who can provide service for Haaland and Marmoush. Gundogan and Grealish were unused substitutes against Forest. Marmoush couldn’t get into Saturday’s match at the City Ground after he came on. De Bruyne isn’t the same type of player that he was 12 months ago. However, De Bruyne did try to change Saturday’s match at the City Ground. But it was to no avail as Manchester City fell to a 1-nil defeat. Perhaps it is an issue that won’t be solved until the summer.

Manchester City have been linked with a player who could help alleviate their creativity issue.

Christian Falk has previously reported via his exclusive Daily Briefing Column that Manchester City may have an advantage in the battle to sign Florian Wirtz. The Bayer Leverkusen playmaker could be the player City needs to unlock the low block they are so often forced to break down. But that’s a solution that we may not see until the summer. But it is one to consider. Maybe the players City currently have aren’t capable of playing the ball Haaland and Marmoush need to thrive. A loss of form, confidence and heavy legs amongst City’s creative midfielders may have sapped that ability of Foden, De Bruyne, Gundogan and company for the time being.

Summary.

Perhaps it was a combination of everything that saw Manchester City unable to utilise Haaland and Marmoush’s strengths against Nottingham Forest. Forest defended well, City lacked any creativity and there was no dare to their play. Pep Guardiola’s side were determined to control the game and they did for large portions.

But ultimately, they lost and barely threw a punch, so to speak. Maybe it’s time Manchester City sacrificed a semblance of control to utilise the runs that Haaland and Marmoush provide and play to their strengths. However, that may play into their opponent’s hands who do look to hit Manchester City on the counter with pace. But it is something to ponder given the way Manchester City’s defeat to Nottingham Forest played out.