Jamie Carragher has explained in his analysis on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football how Leeds United midfielder Marc Roca was to blame for both of Manchester City’s goals on Saturday afternoon – because he dropped too deep.
Leeds were dominated by Manchester City but remained defensively solid for much of the afternoon. Indeed, Leeds kept Erling Haaland quiet for much of the game apart from one chance – which was well saved by Joel Robles.
But it was Ilkay Gundogan that got the two goals for City, even missing a penalty. Rodrigo did score late on for Leeds but it was another defeat. Wins for Everton and Forest has seen Leeds drop into 19th place in the League table.
Carragher was analysing City’s win on Monday Night Football, and he said that Roca dropped too deep into the back four. It meant that Adam Forshaw had to mark his man, leaving Gundogan free on the edge of the penalty area.
“They got it wrong, especially Roca. I showed you the positions they take up. He is too deep to help his defence. Forshaw, who is supposed to patrol the edge of the box, can sense danger – because Roca has dropped too deep.
“Look at McKennie, playing in the same role, is right up against Alvarez. Gundogan goes free, 1-0 down. Roca is defending too deep. People get shots off from the edge of the box. The same happened for the second goal.”
Carragher: Leeds midfielder Roca to blame for Manchester City goals
It is another example of why Roca is failing to provide the defensive screen that is missing in the form of Tyler Adams. He can hardly be blamed, he is not a defensive midfielder. He lacks the natural instinct needed to defend.
But, you would think the Spaniard would have learned from his initial mistake – realising that his position for the first goal, which seems him go to deep despite being unneeded in that position – means Forshaw has to go and cover.
Rico Lewis is the immediate danger, which Forshaw covers, but that means Forshaw is unable to pick up his man in Ilkay Gundogan. Similar happens for the second goal. Perhaps, Sam Allardyce will make a change in midfield.
