City went down 2-0 to Juventus on Wednesday as their tough run continued
They are 22nd in the Champions League table, one point ahead of elimination
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By JACK GAUGHAN
Published: 18:45 EST, 11 December 2024 | Updated: 18:45 EST, 11 December 2024
Pep Guardiola admitted that Manchester City are in a battle to avoid an early Champions League exit after another chastening defeat on Wednesday night.
Juventus beat the 2023 Treble winners with goals from Dusan Vlahovic and Leeds United flop Weston McKennine to leave City in 22nd position with two matches left.
The top 24 qualify for the knockouts and City go to Paris Saint-Germain next month before finishing the group stage at home against Club Brugge.
'It's the target,' Guardiola said. 'We need one point, three points. Go to Paris to try to do it and then the last game at home.
'This is the situation because of the game against Feyenoord. Feyenoord, when it was 3-0 with 15 minutes left, created the problems.
'When we turn this around we will not forget this period. We will appreciate more what we have done and what we will do in the future.'
Pep Guardiola has admitted that Manchester City are in a battle to stay in Champions League
City suffered their latest defeat on Wednesday vs Juventus to leave them 22nd in the table
Guardiola also said that his side will be more appreciative when they are through tough run
City have lost seven of their last 10 matches in all competitions and Ilkay Gundogan revealed that confidence is brittle before they face rivals Manchester United this weekend.
'Confidence is a big part of it and that is a mental issue we are sometimes one action we miss the ball and you see that we drop immediately and lose the rhythm,' Gundogan said. 'It has such a big effect on us right now. In the crucial moments we are always doing the wrong things.
'I have a feeling sometimes we are a bit careless in the duels, we overcomplicate things and miss the right timing.
'On transition every time we give them counter attacks and chase 50-60 metres. We are not built for that, we are built for possession.'
Guardiola added: 'I question myself in the good and bad moments. The dressing room is stable. You have to stand up. What can we do? Feel sorry for ourselves? It's life, it happens.'