Pep Guardiola lately admitted Manchester City are at risk of lacking out on Champions League qualification this season after a stunning run of kind.
City, who’ve gained the Premier League for the final 4 seasons, are experiencing their worst streak in current reminiscence – dropping 9 of their final 12 matches throughout all competitions.
They have dropped six of their final eight Premier League video games and are at the moment seventh, 12 factors behind Liverpool with one recreation extra performed.
They are 4 factors shy of the highest 4 and one level behind fifth place, which may nonetheless result in Champions League qualification.
The final time City missed out on the Champions League was the 2009-10 season, lengthy earlier than Guardiola’s reign, which has seen the membership dominate English soccer.
Now, with their Champions League future in danger, Guardiola is targeted on the pressing want for enchancment.
“Financially, it’s an issue, but it’s not just that,” Guardiola mentioned forward of the Boxing Day match in opposition to Everton. “I know what it is because other clubs have been dominant for years and then failed to qualify for the Champions League. City has been the only team in England consistently in the competition for over a decade. Now we are at risk. If we don’t qualify, it’s because we didn’t deserve it – we didn’t solve our problems or find a way to win games.”
Guardiola, whose staff is at the moment sitting within the play-off spots within the Champions League group stage, is aware of the significance of the upcoming matches.
“We have to win games, otherwise, we won’t qualify,” he added. “And right now, we’re not winning, so we’re out. There are a lot of contenders, and for every club, qualifying is crucial.”
On his relationship with Manchester City’s chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak amid the present struggles, Guardiola mentioned: “We talk every week. I feel incredible support from him and from Txiki (Begiristain) and Ferran (Soriano). When something goes wrong, we take decisions together. We focus on improving the team, and we always remain positive about the next challenge.”
Guardiola believes this troublesome interval will in the end assist him develop as a supervisor. “There are doubts, of course. But I’m positive. We have to do more. If something isn’t working, we must change it. Everyone, including me and the players, must do more – even if it’s uncomfortable.”
City have been lacking key gamers, together with Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder Rodri, who’s out with an ACL damage, and Ruben Dias, who can be sidelined.
Guardiola mentioned they’re assessing John Stones, who was substituted at half-time throughout Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Aston Villa.
Goalkeeper Ederson and midfielder Matheus Nunes have been additionally absent for that match.
Source: www.dailysabah.com