Manchester City, the reigning English champions, are grappling with an uncharacteristic slump that has left their Champions League future uncertain.
Ahead of a challenging clash against Italian giants Juventus, City have managed just one win in their last nine matches across all competitions, marking the toughest period in Pep Guardiola’s managerial career.
Despite setbacks such as a 4-1 defeat to Sporting Lisbon and a dramatic collapse from 3-0 up to draw 3-3 against Feyenoord, City remain within reach of qualification under the new league-phase format.
They currently sit 17th in the 36-team table, needing a top-24 finish to secure at least a playoff spot.
However, their chances of finishing in the top eight for direct knockout-stage entry appear slim, with a daunting trip to Paris Saint-Germain and a home fixture against Club Brugge still ahead.
This Champions League campaign takes on heightened importance as their Premier League title defense falters.
Sitting in fourth place, City trail league leaders Liverpool by eight points, with Liverpool holding a game in hand.
Guardiola’s squad has often rallied late in the season to secure domestic titles, but injuries to key players and an ageing roster have significantly impacted their rhythm this time.
“The season starts difficult; it will be difficult all season,” Guardiola admitted after a recent 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.
“We have to survive the season, every game, try to take points, to try to win games and go forward,” he said.
City are reeling from the absence of several top players.
Ballon d’Or winner Rodri is unlikely to return this season due to an ACL injury, while John Stones, Nathan Ake, Mateo Kovacic, and Oscar Bobb are also unavailable for the Juventus trip.
Stars like Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias, and Phil Foden have missed significant portions of the campaign.
“If the squad is this short, it is always so difficult for all the players to play three days after three days,” midfielder Bernardo Silva said.
“With a squad of 20 players, if you only have 13 available, it is not good enough,” Bernardo continued.
City face a grueling schedule, with 12 matches in just 50 days before the league phase concludes on January 29.
Guardiola praised the medical staff but acknowledged the challenges, saying, “Don’t feel sorry; accept the challenge, and maybe at the end, we will have more satisfaction about the way we behave than in other seasons when we won the titles.”
Victory in just one of their remaining three games will likely ensure qualification.
Encouragingly, all upcoming opponents are ranked lower in the table, with Juventus on a four-game winless run and languishing in sixth place in Serie A.
City can draw inspiration from their 2022/23 campaign, when mid-season struggles had Guardiola questioning the team’s hunger after years of dominance.
By season’s end, they lifted a historic treble, including their first-ever Champions League trophy.
A resurgence in form and fitness could see City transform from struggling contenders to genuine threats in Europe come spring.
AFP
