Pep Guardiola has expressed his self-doubt as Manchester City continues to struggle, suffering their seventh defeat in just ten games after losing 2-0 to Juventus in the Champions League. Goals from Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie handed City a tough loss in Turin. The result puts City in a precarious position as they head into a matchup against Paris Saint-Germain next month, where another defeat could see them fall into the lower tier of the Champions League table, potentially ending their hopes for advancement before the knockout stages.
Despite facing a Juventus team that had secured only one victory in their last six matches across competitions, City found it challenging to create scoring opportunities. As Manchester United looms next in the Premier League, Guardiola openly questioned his own management, stating “Of course [I am questioning myself]. I have my thoughts… The dressing room is stable. Win, we are happy; lose, we are not.”
Guardiola emphasized the need to move forward rather than dwell on the losses, indicating a desire to prepare for the upcoming challenge against United with positivity and determination, focusing on the improvements that need to be made. He acknowledged the recent poor form, which marks the most challenging period of his managerial career but asserted that he is not yet facing his greatest challenge, reflecting on the ups and downs that are part of football management.
Midfielder Ilkay Gündogan pointed out that a lack of confidence may be fueling the team’s struggles and suggested a mental aspect to their challenges. However, Guardiola disagreed, insisting the team’s performance was generally strong, even if the results did not reflect that. He noted the importance of their upcoming match against Paris and encouraged his players to aim for at least a point to boost their qualification chances.
In summary, while Manchester City is experiencing one of its toughest stretches under Guardiola, there’s a palpable sense of resilience within the team. Guardiola and his players remain committed to improving their performance and achieving their goals, reminding fans that every team goes through difficult patches and that determination and hard work will ultimately lead to success. Fans can hold onto the hope that with unwavering effort, Manchester City may soon rediscover their winning form.