On Wednesday, when Pep Guardiola’s team visits RB Leipzig, their quest to finally rule Europe will restart. Nevertheless, things are not going well for the English champions, either on or off the pitch.
Manchester appeared to have made a statement in the Premier League title chase by defeating league leaders Arsenal 3-1 away last week, only to lose two points the following day when they gave up late to draw 1-1 at Nottingham Forest.
As a result of the Premier League accusing them of breaking more than 100 financial regulations going back to the 2009–10 season, they are also operating under suspicion.
Kyle Walker, a defender, called City’s sloppiness in losing the Premier League’s top spot at the weekend “unacceptable.”
“Sometimes it’s football and sometimes it’s emotion. Every game should be treated the same — like a cup final.”
Should Arsenal defeat struggling Everton in their game-in-hand, their two-point deficit at the top of the standings may increase to five.
Guardiola is concerned about City’s inconsistent play as his team prepares to play again in the competition they most want to win.
Guardiola, who twice managed Barcelona and won the Champions League, hasn’t managed City since 2011, his final year at Camp Nou. City has never won the competition.
Erling Haaland’s acquisition was supposed to be the last piece needed to complete City’s European conundrum.
The Norwegian has scored 32 goals across all competitions, exceeding expectations. Yet, the addition of Haaland is one of the reasons cited for City’s collective performance this season’s decline.
In comparison to 21 points during the whole 2021–2022 season, the defending champions have already lost 20 points in 24 games.
Despite Haaland’s prolific scoring, City had amassed more goals as a unit at this point last year.
They also appear more vulnerable defensively, which is made worse by Guardiola’s decision to allow Joao Cancelo to join Bayern Munich on loan, leaving him without a natural left-back.
In the last two weeks alone, midfielder Bernardo Silva, forward Nathan Ake, and defenders Aymeric Laporte, Rico Lewis, and Bernardo Laporte have all been moved to the left side of defence.
Despite City losing two points due to a lack of killer instinct, Guardiola stated he was encouraged by their performance at Forest.
Although it is out of character for the former Barca and Bayern Munich coach, he has not been reluctant to criticise his players during the World Cup break for their lack of zeal and drive to continue dominating in England.
Finding this kind of inspiration for the Champions League shouldn’t be tough. Only Scott Carson, a third-choice goalie, has previously won the competition while playing for Liverpool, making him the only player on Guardiola’s team to do so.
“We’re coming after it,” goalkeeper Ederson said of City’s quest to win the Champions League.
“I think we’re a group of great quality and that shows how much the club has developed over the last five or six years, with Premier League titles, Carabao (League) Cups, FA Cups, Community Shields.
“So this title is what the club needs. It’s what we athletes need and it’s what Guardiola needs here at the club, too. This year, we’re going to try. We’re going after it.”
Due to the number of charges brought against City earlier this month for financial violations, there may also be the added incentive of not knowing with certainty when City will have another opportunity to compete in the Champions League.
A team that has participated in Europe’s top league for 12 consecutive seasons might face relegation should City be found guilty or a severe points penalty.
