Manchester City’s struggles continued in a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Juventus, marking a seventh loss in their last 10 matches and leaving fans and manager Pep Guardiola perplexed. This poor run of form has raised questions about the team’s future, with City now sitting in 22nd place in the standings, just above Paris Saint-Germain, and on the brink of elimination from European competition. Guardiola, typically confident, appeared isolated and frustrated, acknowledging that his team should have won more games during their recent slump.
The game was another display of City’s lackluster performance, with Juventus taking control thanks to goals from Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie. Guardiola’s tactical decisions, including his lack of substitutions, only highlighted the team’s stagnation. In contrast, Juventus’ manager Thiago Motta made effective changes, which proved crucial. City’s lack of energy and creativity was evident, with Ilkay Gündogan playing as a holding midfielder and Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish tasked with playmaking duties, but their efforts were often thwarted by sloppy passes and missed opportunities.
One notable example was when De Bruyne set up Erling Haaland with a well-timed pass, only for the striker to squander the chance. Despite some brief moments of fluid play, such as Jérémy Doku’s run and cross, City’s general performance lacked the spark and confidence that had made them Premier League champions for the past four years. Defensive errors compounded the issue, with Josko Gvardiol’s clearance leading to a goal from Vlahovic after Ederson failed to make a routine save.
Guardiola’s team seems to be struggling with their usual precision and swagger, reminiscent of the 2016-17 season when they failed to win a trophy. As they continue to falter, the once-dominant side faces a tough challenge to regain their form, and questions about their ability to challenge for trophies this season are growing.
