Manchester City went through one of the most complicated moments of the Pep Guardiola era. Six matches were enough to set off the alarms at the Etihad: only one victory, two defeats and defeats, resulting in the team's confidence and stability, both in the Premier League and in the Champions League.
The last goal was scored in Turin, where the English beat Juventus 2-0 in the group stage of the Liga Campeones. Goals from Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie condemned a team that, although dominating in the pose, proved incapable of generating real danger. The derrota not only complicates his classification for the round of 16, but also left exposed the structural problems that seemed to have run deep in Guardiola's team.
Gündogan, Guardiola and self-criticism
Tras la derrota, the voices inside the dress do not take long to reflect the frustration that the team experiences. Ilkay Gündogan, one of the leaders of the plantel, didn't care about anything in his assessment: «I have the feeling that sometimes we are a little sloppy in duels. Instead of simple play, we overcomplicate things and miss the right moment to step or release the ball.”
For his part, Pep Guardiola adopted a more conciliatory tone, although without hiding his concern: «Lo hemos hecho muy, muy bien. We have not lost as many hairs as in the past and we have tried.” However, his words did not satisfy the critics, especially because the city continues without finding concrete solutions to its lack of effectiveness in the attack and its defensive problems.
Press and analysts, strict with the City
The British press had no problems with Manchester City tras la derrota in Turin. The sports media and analysts coincide in reporting that the team has a predictable light and a failure of confidence, two aspects that have been repeated in this negative situation.
Lee Hendrie, former football player and now analyst Sky Sportswas blunt: «They are very predictable, I think that is the main problem. Juventus is a team that knows how to make it difficult for their rivals and negotiate effectively. If you meet with City, you will copy what you did at Juve. Ellos (el City) continues to look for this perfect match, but does not have the confidence to log it. It's time to go back to the bases.”
For his part, Nedum Onuoha, Manchester City manager and commentator in the room BBChe highlighted the team's defensive deficiencies: «The defense was the biggest difference between both teams. Juventus kept Erling Haaland completely isolated for 90 minutes and showed himself very compact in midfield. The City only made two mistakes, but both were punished. Probably obtuvieron lo que mercecían».
Jack Gaughan, in his chronicle for the Daily mailIt was even more direct: «Guardiola's team is playing with little confidence and seems to be dangerously trying to completely miss out on the classification for the eighths of the final of the League of Champions».
What happened to Manchester City?
Manchester City's problems appear multi-faceted. In attack, the team does not encounter fluidity, despite the comparison with elite players such as Erling Haaland, who was completely disconnected from the game in the last few meetings. The lack of creativity in the final third of the pitch is evident, with a team that continues to search for the perfect pace without generating clear scoring options.
Defensively, the city showed vulnerabilities that were not usual in previous eras. The Juventus team and discipline expuse these weaknesses, punishing every error of the English team. Furthermore, their Premier League rivals have replicated similar formulas, closing spaces and attacking Guardiola's team in quick transitions.
Another factor that weighs is the lack of collective trust. Key players like Kevin De Bruyne, who is low due to injury, have left a void that is difficult to fill, while others, like Jack Grealish or Bernardo Silva, have not shown the level expected of them. This, combined with the pressure of resulting ills, has generated an environment of uncertainty that affects both individual and collective performance.
Can Guardiola restore the situation?
Pep Guardiola has not reached the last crisis. Along the way, he encountered complicated moments in Bayern Munich and Barcelona, eventually struggling to find solutions to repeat the rumble. However, this situation with Manchester City could be one of the most frustrating of his trajectory, especially as it came after a historic season in which he won the treble, including Champions League anxiety.
Guardiola's ability to evolve tactically will be crucial at this time. You will have to find ways to diversify the attack and overcome the predictability that analysts criticize so much. Furthermore, it will be essential to work on defensive solidity and on recovering the team's confidence.
With rivals Juventus on course to neutralize City, the Catalan manager faces the challenge of reinventing his system to prevent the team from being out of the Champions League and losing ground in the Premier League, where he has also conceded points important in recent weeks.
The one that is in the game
Manchester City's current crisis not only endangers its Champions League aspirations, but it has also recovered with the addition of Guardiola's legacy to the club. Having earned the treble in the past time, expectations for this year were very high, but recent results have generated doubts whether the outfit has the ability to maintain itself in the European and national elite.
With several crucial parts on the horizon, the city will have to react quickly to prevent this negative situation from turning into an irreparable crisis. Guardiola's ability to adapt and the response of his players will be crucial in defining the pace of the season. As of now, Manchester City is walking on a cuerda floja, with little confidence and many unanswered questions.
