Champions League: Tottenham 1-0 Manchester City - 4 reasons Tottenham defeated Manchester City
Manchester City and Totttenham clashed in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal fixture, with Spurs drawing first blood courtesy a 1-0 win ahead of their second leg away trip to The Etihad in a week's time.
The Citizens are still in the hunt to become the first ever English club to win a quadruple and entered the game as favourites owing to their superior firepower. However, the Londoners had other plans and would go into the second leg with renewed optimism, while City's lack of an away goal means they would have to be at their optimum if they are to progress.
This was the first of three consecutive clashes between both sides, as they would meet over the weekend in the Premier League before playing the crunch second leg of their UCL clash.
This loss would come as a heavy blow to City who had been unbeaten for 23 matches in all competitions since January. In this piece, we shall be taking a look at four reasons why Tottenham defeated them in the Champions League.
#4 Absence of creativity in midfield
Manchester City are arguably the most creative side in all of Europe, possessing numerous world class players in the middle of the park, which ensures that creativity is rarely a problem for the Mancunians.
Under Guardiola, the Premier League side have taken their game to even higher levels, with their style of play prioritizing playing through the middle such that chances are always at a plentiful in every match.
However, in the game against Tottenham, Guardiola started without Bernardo Silva who was rested, while Kevin de Bruyne, who has been plagued by numerous injuries throughout the season, was only fit enough for the bench.
These two players are among the most creative in Manchester City, and even though the club has more than adequate replacements, nobody else quite offers what the duo can do This lack of creativity was evident in City's play on the night, as they struggled to impose themselves on the match, and were a far cry from the standards they've set to over the years.
In total, City had 57% of the ball, but this possession did not amount to much, as they rarely troubled Hugo Lloris in goal, fashioning just two shots on target in 90 minutes, one of which was a missed penalty.
Manchester City have made a name for themselves as masters of creativity, but on the night against Tottenham, they were painfully deficient in fashioning chances and this proved fatal in the defeat, leaving them with a mountain to climb in the second leg.