Talking Tactics: Pep’s men must be on Guard with Dias out injured

Pep Guardiola is short of numbers tonight due to injuries and Kyle Walker’s suspension — but Manchester City may feel the absence of Ruben Dias the most.

Portuguese ace Dias is out of action for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury sustained during City’s 2-0 FA Cup victory over Peterborough, which also saw fellow defender Nathan Ake pick up a knock.

The duo missed last Sunday’s Manchester derby triumph and their absence leaves Guardiola with just two senior centre-backs in John Stones and Aymeric Laporte.

Ahead of the second leg of their Champions League last-16 clash with Sporting, we take a look at how the Premier League leaders will cope without Dias and Co.

What are City missing?

Dias, 24, is City’s fourth-most used player — and most used centre-back — across all competitions this season, with 2,811 minutes played.

But he is far more than simply a tough-tackling defender, offering elite passing and ball-carrying ability from the back.

Excluding players with fewer than 200 minutes of game time this season, just two of Dias’ fellow Citizens can top his average of 81.83 attempted passes per 90 — and only Laporte (95.46%) has better passing accuracy than his 93.53%.

The Lisbon native’s qualities in possession are fundamental to City’s approach as they look to protect their goal by retaining the ball as much as possible.

Ready to fight

Guardiola has admitted that losing Dias is a big blow — but he is refusing to wallow in self-pity.

Speaking last week, he said: “It happens during a season.

“One of our best players, Kevin De Bruyne, was out for eight or nine months.

“I am not going to cry. We have two central defenders but it is what it is.

“People said we were lucky with coronavirus but we have only 15, 16 players [available] in the last months.

“We will fight. We want to play good, have good behaviours and movements. And hopefully our people can support us like they always do.”

No Stones unturned

As a fellow right-footed centre-back, Stones appears to be the natural replacement for Dias.

The Englishman, 27, has been in and out of the side this season due to injury, playing just 1,358 minutes in all competitions.

His passing accuracy of 92.91% ranks third in City’s squad, just behind Dias. And although his average of 75.55 attempted passes per 90 does not quite match up to the 37-cap international, it is clear Stones has similar passing and ball-carrying qualities.

He also has the backing of Guardiola, who believes City’s No5 is ready to step up if he can stay fit.

He said: “What I feel now is that [Stones] is incredibly mature. I think that [after] some knocks given to him, he understands his profession, his life much, much, much better.

“Of course now with Ruben out, hopefully [Stones] can be fit and be there. I don’t have doubts about John but he knows he can do better and every game is a proof to do it better. He’s ready.”

Pass master Laporte

Dias may be sidelined but Laporte, his centre-back partner this season, remains fit and available.

The 27-year-old ace ranks highest in the City squad for passes attempted (89.05) and completed (85) per 90, so his presence will help Guardiola’s men continue to exert their irresistible control over games.

Ake’s injury robs the Manchester giants of cover for the Spain international, however, meaning they cannot afford to lose him.

Young pretender

City’s 5-0 victory in the first leg against Sporting and the lack of cover for Stones and Laporte may tempt Guardiola to consider handing some playing time to an academy graduate.

It is not implausible he could opt to protect his two remaining senior centre-backs, turning instead to Fernandinho to fill in alongside a young prospect.

Teenager Luke Mbete looks to be first in line for selection if the Spanish tactician considers rotating.

The London-born England Under-19s international earned a spot on the bench for the 4-1 victory over Manchester United.

On Mbete’s chances of featuring, Guardiola said: “He trained with us for a long time. His application is really high. He’s still young but he’ll be in the [squad] and maybe we’ll need him.”