Pep Guardiola has warned that Manchester City will not qualify for the Champions League unless they adapt to their opponents' lack of intimidation towards them.
Reigning Premier League Champions City have endured a torrid 2024-25 campaign, epitomized by a recent run of just one win from 13 matches in all competitions.
That has left Guardiola's side in fifth place and 12 points adrift of leaders Liverpool in the English top flight.
Their latest setback came in the Champions League in midweek, when they surrendered a 2-0 advantage before losing 4-2 to Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes.
Elimination from the European Premier Club competition is now a real possibility for the 25th place citizens, who must beat Club Brugge in their final league stage match to have a chance of reaching the knockout round play-offs.
Guardiola admitted that opponents are showing less of a fear factor when playing his side, who face Chelsea this weekend, epitomized by their willingness to press them more often.
A trademark @kevindebruyne strike against Chelseapic.twitter.com/zrk8wdiswq
– Manchester City (@Mancity) January 24, 2025
“Everyone came to the Etihad and stayed back,” he told reporters during his pre-match press conference. “The first team I saw was Neil Warnock at Cardiff [City]. Now everyone does it. Everyone comes here, it doesn't matter, man for man.
“They just jump to Edererson or Stefan [Ortega]. You have to adapt, do better with the ball, otherwise you won't qualify for the Champions League.
“Our problem is with the ball. This season it's what we've been missing. When you have the ball and you don't pass it to your partner well, everything is so difficult.”
Guardiola feels securing qualification for next season's Champions League would represent success for City given the challenges they have faced this term.
The Citizens have been deeply affected by Rodri's lengthy absence from midfield through injury, as they welcome Chelsea with just one fit centre-back – excluding new signings Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov.
And the Spaniard is backing Jose Mourinho's claim that one of his greatest achievements was coming second to his city side at Manchester United in the 2017-18 Premier League campaign.
“There are seasons when there are a lot of problems,” Guardiola added. 'How do you get up? How do you stay there?
“I remember Jose. I don't know the reality of United, but he said finishing second often in that season was his greatest success. I completely understand.”
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