The UEFA Champions League (UCL) 2024/25 season has been interesting and exciting. The big teams have faltered in the new season with the newer format. Matchday 6 has come to an end. After that, Manchester City is in deep trouble, as they are on the brink of elimination. Pep Guardiola now appears as weak and concerned as any other manager who has experienced his seventh defeat in ten games.
Both statements would have sounded inconceivable just a month ago. But with Tuesday’s 2-0 Champions League loss to Juventus, the old certainties are no longer valid. Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie’s second-half goals kept Juventus on track for a playoff spot. At the same time, City remained in 22nd place in the Champions League. A point ahead of 25th place Paris Saint-Germain which is now below the cut-off mark.
That will see teams drop out of the competition. City’s next game is against PSG in Paris, and a loss would mean elimination from the Champions League. For the first time in his managerial career, Pep Guardiola has failed to win three consecutive Champions League group/league matches (D1 L2). Meanwhile, the Citizens are on their longest run since the 2014-15 season (four – D2 L2).
Manchester City in Turmoil
In Turin, he watched his team battle to beat Juventus. The Spaniard had only won one of their previous six games, and he did almost nothing to help. He watched Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gündogan exhaust themselves in midfield before making his first change in the 87th minute, replacing Jack Grealish with Matheus Nunes. Erling Haaland once again failed to contribute in a game when he did not score, recording only 18 touches all night.
However, Guardiola was unable to make the necessary changes in his selection or system to make the difference. The issue has gotten substantially worse. City has not recovered from Guardiola’s new contract, and they are now eight points adrift in the Premier League, in addition to their Champions League troubles.
