Pep Guardiola remained optimistic despite Manchester City's alarming decline in form continuing with a 2-0 defeat to Juventus in the Champions League.
The Spaniard's side are 22nd in the Champions League and are at risk of missing the next stage of the competition with just two games left to play.
City have lost seven of their last ten games in all competitions (W1 D2), as many defeats as they had suffered in their previous 105 games combined (seven).
Guardiola has failed to win three games in a row in the group/league stages of the Champions League (D1 L2) for the first time in his managerial career. For the Citizens it is now the longest series since the 2014/2015 season (four – D2 L2).
“We played well, very, very well,” Guardiola told reporters. “So we missed the last pass, the last action, of course some transitions happen, but I'm so proud of these players, they gave everything and they tried, and now we live in this period and hopefully we can change and achieve results.
“I know it is difficult, it is difficult in the Champions League in Europe, but we are playing really well.”
City's final two games in the group stage are against Paris Saint-Germain and Club Brugge.
FULL TIME | Defeat in Turin.
2-0 #ManCity | #UCL pic.twitter.com/ROvVglP0LR
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 11, 2024
The new format of the competition will see the top eight teams progress to the round of 16 after eight rounds of the competition phase, avoiding a play-off, which is now almost out of reach for Guardiola's team.
“We have two games. We need maybe one point, one win, the last one is at home and the situation is because of the match against Feyenoord [when City gave up a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3] and especially Inter [a 0-0 draw]the Spaniard added.
“But our three games away were really, really tough, and you have to accept that. And when we turn around, we won't forget that period. We appreciate more what we have done in the past, what they are going to do.” into the future.”
Since the start of November, City have conceded more goals in all competitions than any other team from Europe's top five leagues (21 in nine games).
They have also gone eight games without a clean sheet in all competitions; the longest streak in Guardiola's managerial career (also a streak of eight in October 2016).
Unlike his manager, Ilkay Gundogan remained frustrated with the team's performance.
“Every attack we allow is so dangerous and we are careless in the duels,” Gundogan told TNT Sports.
“Instead of playing simple, we overcomplicate things by not timing things to pass the ball or release the ball.
“We lose balls in transition every time, which gives them counter-attacks. We have to chase 60 meters back and we are not built for that. We are built for possession, to keep the ball and to be strong. If you can' do nothing in the match, don't lose it, and it doesn't work for us.
“We know exactly what's going wrong, we know the reasons. We didn't play badly. If you give away one chance and they score, it's not easy to come back.”
“It's clear what's going wrong, it's just trying to find that switch to turn things around. Even if we don't get results, I don't think we're far off – which may sound a bit stupid, but that's Like this.” what I feel.
“If we don't click, it becomes difficult. All we can do is for each individual to question themselves to do better, sacrifice more and contribute to the team so that we can become better together.”
Comments