It has been a shock to the system to see Manchester City only win one of their past nine games in all competitions. That type of run has been unheard of during Pep Guardiola’s reign as City manager.
Of course, there have been several contributing factors to City’s poor run of form. [Injuries](https://esteemedkompany.com/2024/12/11/there-is-no-relief-in-sight-to-manchester-citys-injury-woes/) and fatigue have played a part. Also, City’s rivals appear to have caught up to the world champions. But speaking ahead of Manchester City’s crucial Champions League fixture against Juventus, Pep Guardiola believes his team must get back to basics to get their season back on track.
Speaking during his [pre-game press conference](https://www.mancity.com/citytv/mens/juventus-v-city-pep-guardiola-and-ruben-dias-press-conference-63869444) ahead of his team’s massive Champions League fixture against Juventus, Pep Guardiola wants to see his team get back to what they do best. The City manager said that his team needs to get back to their passing game to get their season back on track. Guardiola told the media when asked how his team can snap out of their slump: “_What we have to do is simple: our strength is the ball. That’s our success because we run like a desperate team when we don’t have the ball, but with the ball, we are incredibly patient. We make them run and run._
_“We attack too quickly and don’t do things at the right tempo, and with that, every team is better than us._
_“We need to get the confidence back for the simple things, get the ball and pass the ball. Simple things we will do better and then get the confidence_.”
#### Pep Guardiola is right his team must get back to basics to get back on track.
Manchester City haven’t been themselves over the past nine games. There has been a sense of panic to their play. That has been unheard of in recent seasons. But when a team even one as great as Pep Guardiola’s side is faced with adversity they can get away from what they do best. That has been seen across Manchester City’s recent games. Although, credit must go to City’s opponents for forcing them out of their comfort zone.
Pep Guardiola is right getting back to what they do best is the way out of their poor run. At their best Manchester City play with a sense of control and grind their opponents into the proverbial floor. The sooner they get back to that the better they will be. If they can do it tonight against Juventus it may kickstart City’s season.
Whether or not Manchester City can do that tonight in Turin is something to watch for in tonight’s match. But if they can rediscover what they do best it may help pick up a crucial three points tonight. It could also set them up for what lies ahead over a busy schedule.