City miss De Bruyne and left-back worries going into cup final: What We Learned from Wigan vs. Man City (FA Cup) – City Watch

Manchester City vs Wigan in the FA Cup has been a bogey fixture with the 1-0 loss in the final back in 2013 and then a 2-1 loss at the Etihad the following year.

Despite the high-flying form Pep Guardiola’s side are in, there was a feeling in the back of the minds of City fans that Wigan could cause another upset and tonight’s FA Cup fifth round tie was no different to the previous two outcomes.

Wigan were a team that played out of their skin while City misfired and were not clinical enough in front of goal.

Fabian Delph was sent off just before halftime for a two-footed challenge and then a mistake from Kyle Walker let Will Grigg in on goal, slotting it past Claudio Bravo in 79th minute which turned out to be the winner.

It was clear Kevin De Bruyne was not on the pitch

Despite Kevin De Bruyne being named on the bench, the likes of David Silva, Bernardo Silva and Leroy Sané should be enough to trouble a Wigan defence.

However, the team looked slower than usual when it came to quick passing, counter attacking and every aspect of the game.

The two Silvas were trying their best to create crucial passes to create City chances, but, they failed to find a player in a blue shirt while for Sané, this was simply a game to forget.

When De Bruyne came on, he was again a different class and was the only outlet where chances for City were being created, but it was a pity there was no one able to get on the end of them.

Delph sending off creates worries for the League Cup Final

Fabian Delph’s dismissal is creating worry amongst City fans as he will be facing a ban meaning he will miss Sunday’s Carabao Cup Final against Arsenal.

Delph has looked impressive at left-back in Mendy’s absence while Danilo has looked nervy when he has been on the pitch.

The Brazilian was constantly losing possession and whenever he moved forward he would lose the ball or make one of many long-range efforts on goal.

At this current moment in time, City fans would want Zinchenko (an attacking midfielder) starting at left back over Danilo.

Sometimes City need to go old school

The passing philosophy which Guardiola has brought in at City is amazing to watch, but sometimes at lower league clubs it may not work.

It was evident that later in the second half, City’s passing was not going to break a Wigan side down who were 1-0 up with 10 minutes to go the likes of De Bruyne and Silva were launching crosses into the box yet there was no one there to get on the end of them. The likes of Aguero and Bernardo Silva, due to their size, are going to find it difficult to get on the end of high crosses.

Maybe Guardiola is now thinking that he may need a tall attacking option in order to add another aspect to City’s style of play.