Manchester City, the reigning champions of English football, find themselves in unfamiliar territory. The club that has dominated the Premier League for the better part of a decade is now grappling with a string of poor results, leaving fans and pundits alike scratching their heads.

The Sky Blues’ recent form has been nothing short of dismal, with just one victory in their last dozen matches across all competitions. This stark contrast to their usual imperious performances has sent shockwaves through the footballing world. The question on everyone’s lips is: what has gone wrong for Pep Guardiola’s men?

This article examines the factors behind City’s sudden downturn and explores potential solutions to their current predicament.

An Epic Fall from Grace

Manchester City’s decline has been as swift as it has been unexpected. The team that clinched a historic treble in 2023 – winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League – now finds itself struggling to maintain its usual standards. The most alarming statistic is their Premier League record, where they have suffered defeat in six of their last eight outings.

This dramatic dip in form is particularly striking when compared to their previous consistency. Over the past three seasons combined, City had lost a mere 11 league matches. To put their current struggles into perspective, they have already equalled that tally in draws and losses in just half a season.

The magnitude of this slump is huge. As Bernardo Silva, one of City’s key players, bluntly put it: “At this level, if it’s a game or two, you can say it’s lucky or unlucky, but if it’s 10 games, it is not about that. It’s a lot of games lately. We have to look at ourselves.”

The Rodri Factor

Rodri Ballon D'or

One cannot discuss Manchester City’s current woes without mentioning the absence of Rodri.

The Spanish midfielder, recently voted the best player on the planet, suffered a season-ending knee injury in September during a match against Arsenal. This setback has proven to be a turning point in City’s campaign.

Rodri’s importance to the team’s structure and playing style has never been more obvious. His ability to break up opposition attacks, retain possession, and initiate City’s offensive moves has been sorely missed. The team’s struggles since his injury have highlighted just how crucial he is to Guardiola’s tactical setup.

The challenge for City now is to find a way to compensate for Rodri’s absence. So far, attempts to fill the void have been unsuccessful, leaving Guardiola with a tactical conundrum to solve.

Guardiola’s Dilemma

Pep Guardiola, widely regarded as one of the greatest managers in football history, now faces perhaps his toughest challenge at Manchester City. The Catalan tactician, known for his innovative problem-solving, seems to have run out of ideas to arrest his team’s slide.

In a rare moment of self-doubt, Guardiola recently admitted: “I’m not good enough. I am the boss, the manager, I have to find solutions, and so far I haven’t.” This candid admission from a manager who has consistently found ways to overcome obstacles is telling of the gravity of City’s current situation.

However, Guardiola’s use of the phrase “so far” suggests he hasn’t given up hope of turning things around. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether he can find the answers to City’s problems or if this crisis marks the beginning of the end of his remarkable tenure at the Etihad Stadium.

The Road to Recovery

Manchester City Etihad
From Manchester City FC

Despite their current struggles, all is not lost for Manchester City. They remain within touching distance of a top 4 finish, thanks in part to the inconsistent form of their rivals. The upcoming festive period presents an opportunity for City to regain ground, with a relatively favourable run of fixtures before they face tougher tests against Chelsea and Arsenal in early 2025.

To salvage their season, City will need to address several key areas. Improving their defensive solidity, finding a temporary solution to Rodri’s absence, and keeping their star players fit will all be crucial. Additionally, they must eliminate what Silva described as “under 15s” decision-making in crucial moments of matches.

If City can navigate the next month without further setbacks, they may yet find themselves back in the title race. However, the margin for error is now extremely slim, and any more slip-ups could prove fatal to their ambitions.

In conclusion, Manchester City’s current crisis is a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in football. While their recent form has been alarming, it would be foolish to write off a team with such quality and experience. The coming weeks will reveal whether this is merely a blip in City’s dominance or the beginning of a more significant decline. One thing is certain: all eyes will be on the Etihad Stadium as this drama unfolds.

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