Manchester City’s second-half collapses have developed an uncomfortable pattern: impressive, controlled openings followed by worrying decline after the interval.
The Sky Blues have repeatedly allowed promising positions to unravel, a habit that has cost them valuable points and left their title hope in serious jeopardy.
The latest setback arrived at the weekend when City surrendered a two-goal advantage to draw 2-2 with Tottenham. It was another example of a team that can still dominate opponents for long spells yet appears unable to sustain that authority for 90 minutes.
Similar stories have unfolded throughout the winter, with leads disappearing and composure fading at crucial moments.
Attention now turns to Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle United. City hold a healthy advantage from the first meeting at St James’ Park and remain favourites to reach another Wembley final.
Beyond that lies an even greater challenge: a daunting Premier League trip to Liverpool where anything less than victory could leave Arsenal disappearing over the horizon.
Form, however, offers little encouragement. Since the turn of the year City have managed just one league win from six attempts.
A run of three successive draws against Sunderland, Chelsea and Brighton set the tone, and further dropped points against Manchester United and Tottenham have intensified doubts about whether this squad can still compete on multiple fronts.
Guardiola has been searching for explanations for the frequent Manchester City’s second-half collapses. The Spaniard has rarely experienced such fragility during his time in England and admits the issue is becoming impossible to ignore.
When asked about the recurring second-half collapses, he accepted responsibility while hinting that the current group may lack the experience of previous vintage City sides.
Speaking to reporters prior to Manchester City’s clash with Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg on Wednesday night, Guardiola was quizzed for his thoughts on second-half showings from his side.
“It’s the reality that in the second-half we drop what we got in the first, maybe because it’s a young team, a younger side than in 10 years, and maybe we need to live it,” Guardiola said.
“Maybe we stop trying to do what we’ve done in first halves. We have to grow.”
Those remarks underline a transition taking place at the Etihad Stadium. Several established figures have departed over recent seasons, replaced by emerging talents still learning the demands of competing for major honours.
Guardiola has never been afraid to rebuild, yet the process inevitably brings turbulence.
The manager also faces significant injury problems, particularly in defence. The absence of key leaders has disrupted the balance that once made City so reliable when protecting advantages.
Without their usual solidity, matches have become open and unpredictable and this on different occasions has led to Manchester City’s second-half collapses.
Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, pillars of the back line, have been missing for weeks after both were forced off during the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on January 4.
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Their simultaneous loss removed not only quality but also organisation and communication, elements Guardiola values as highly as technical ability.
Dias has taken encouraging steps towards recovery and returned to training this week. The hope is that the Portuguese international could be available for Sunday’s showdown at Anfield, though Wednesday’s visit of Newcastle is expected to come too soon.
The situation surrounding Gvardiol is more serious. The Croatian underwent surgery on a right tibial fracture and is unlikely to be seen again until late spring.
His absence has left Guardiola short of senior options and forced him to experiment.
Young Uzbek defender Abdukodir Khusanov has been thrust into the spotlight alongside academy graduate Max Alleyne, while January recruit Marc Guehi has quickly become an important figure.
All possess potential, yet none can replicate the assurance of the injured duo overnight.
