The Champions League knockout stage is looming, and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted that his team, in their current form, are not among the top contenders. However, he remains optimistic about their chances of improvement before facing either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich next month.
City’s Rocky Road in Europe
City narrowly avoided an early exit from the competition for the first time since 2012, staging a second-half comeback to defeat Club Brugge 3-1 on Wednesday. Despite their qualification, Guardiola acknowledges the difficulty ahead, with two of Europe’s powerhouses waiting in the next round.
“Right now, no. I’m being completely realistic,” Guardiola admitted when asked about City’s chances of reclaiming the Champions League title. “Madrid are back to winning ways, and Bayern have been fantastic under Vinny (Kompany). If we had to play them tomorrow, it would be tough, but in two weeks, things might be different.”
Premier League Struggles: A Concern for City?
Manchester City’s form in the Premier League has also been inconsistent, as they currently sit fourth, 12 points behind league leaders Liverpool—a far cry from their usual dominance. Guardiola, however, remains hopeful, citing the imminent return of key players and the integration of new signings:
- Omar Marmoush
- Abdukodir Khusanov
- Vitor Reis
“FA Cup, we are still there. Mindsets shift, momentum changes, and I’m confident we will cause problems for Madrid or Bayern.”
Despite their struggles, City have managed to pick up results, winning six and drawing one of their last eight matches. Guardiola believes that while they are not currently in the title race, they remain competitive across multiple competitions.
The Challenges of the Champions League’s New Format
City’s nail-biting qualification underscored the unpredictability of the Champions League’s new Swiss model format. Guardiola admitted that while the format is exciting for fans, it increases stress for managers.
“As a spectator, the unpredictability is great, but from our perspective, it’s demanding. We were 45 minutes away from elimination—it’s a powerful lesson for me and for the club. Nothing can ever be taken for granted.”
Guardiola’s Final Verdict: Hope Amidst Challenges
Despite City’s inconsistencies and a challenging road ahead, Guardiola remains hopeful about their readiness for the knockout stage.
“We still have pride. Now, let’s see how we shape up in two weeks.”
With key players returning and momentum building, Manchester City’s Champions League journey is far from over. Whether they can rise to the challenge remains to be seen, but if history has shown anything, never count out a Guardiola-led side.
