Pellegrini won't cool it on the road despite dropping points against Southampton

Pellegrini won't cool it on the road despite dropping points against Southampton

Manuel Pellegrini is adamant he will stick with his attacking philosophy away from home — despite Manchester City’s dire record on the road this season.
At home, the ability of the team is beyond question. Seven games; seven wins; 29 goals (more than four a match) and only two conceded. Yet away from home they have lost four already as their unflinching attacking strategy in pursuit of the title has proved costly.
Yet their draw at St Mary’s was by no means a poor result. Their opponents have only lost once at home all season and they deserve to be one of the top sides in the league. 

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Manchester City have only kept one clean sheet in eight Premier League away games this season.

After taking the lead in the 10th minute and going on to dominate the first 25 minutes that saw  Sergio Aguero bury Aleksandar Kolarov’s low cross, City were second best for the rest of the game.
But when Pellegrini was asked to clarify whether he would  persist with the style of play, he answered: ‘We try to play.’ 
And when quizzed about whether pursuing the home strategy on the road was realistic, he replied: ‘I think so, because a big team plays everywhere against other teams the same way.’

Do it this way! Manuel Pellegrini shouting instructions to his team at St Mary's

The Pellegrini point seems to be there was no reason that his team should not be able to replicate their form at home when they play away.
Playing one striker up front and packing the midfield with attacking and defensive midfielders has become fashionable in the top flight, particularly away from home where it gives teams a chance to control the game in the centre of the pitch. 
Pellegrini has bucked that trend, preferring to field two out-and-out strikers, while also allowing his full backs to bomb forward often throughout matches. 
It is a strategy that has been awfully exposed away from the Etihad  — underscored by Southampton’s equaliser. Just before half-time Dani Osvaldo burst free on the left, with right back Pablo Zabaleta high up the pitch.

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Centre back Vincent Kompany tried to cover, but was twisted in knots by Osvaldo on the left corner of the penalty area before he cut back on himself and arced the ball towards the top-right corner where it clipped the underside of the crossbar on its way in.
That goal illuminated the reason why Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino paid £15million for the striker in August. Much had been made, up to then, of the player’s erratic temperament and his reputation for rowing and even coming to blows with former players and managers.
‘He won’t bite anyone like Luis Suarez, but he does have fire,’ mused Pochettino, who managed Osvaldo at Espanyol. He has a reputation and he deserves it. He is a player of character who is very emotional. 
‘But he is growing every day and we are happy with how he is doing, regardless of his behaviour. He is a friendly guy, a good team-mate.’

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The Italian international is expected to be included in his country’s squad for the World Cup in Brazil next summer and could well lead the line against England in their opening game. 
If the 27-year-old continues to adapt to the Premier League and produces more stunning moments of brilliance, he will pose a real threat. Pochettino added: ‘It is a good thing for England that he is here, so you can watch him and see how he develops.’