Manchester City’s disappointing Champions League campaign hit another low with a 2-0 loss to Juventus on Wednesday. Goals from Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie secured the Italian side’s victory, leaving City languishing in 22nd place in the Champions League standings. With only two wins from six games and one victory in their last 10 across all competitions, questions about City’s form have grown louder.
Gundogan: “We’re Overcomplicating Things”
Ilkay Gundogan didn’t hold back in his post-match analysis, pointing to overcomplicated play and lapses in focus as key issues. “At the moment, every attack we concede feels dangerous,” the German midfielder told TNT Sports. “We’re built for possession, but sometimes we complicate things, lose the ball, and invite counterattacks.”
Gundogan emphasized the psychological toll of repeated errors: “One missed duel, one lost ball, and our rhythm drops completely. We know what’s going wrong, but bouncing back in these situations is proving tough.”
Guardiola Disagrees with Gundogan’s Take
Pep Guardiola, however, offered a different perspective. When asked about Gundogan’s comments, he appeared perplexed. “No, no, today we didn’t lose many balls,” Guardiola insisted. “Italian teams are compact and masterful defensively. Even with that, we played like who we are, but missed the result.”
The City boss maintained that the performance was strong, blaming the ongoing struggles on a lack of final product. “I’m so proud of these players. They give everything. We’re just missing the last part—the final action.”
Key Statistics from the Match
| Statistic | Juventus | Manchester City |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 2 | 0 |
| Shots on Target | 5 | 3 |
| Possession | 42% | 58% |
| Passing Accuracy | 85% | 91% |
City’s inability to capitalize on possession and chances has become a recurring theme during their slump.
Manchester Derby Looms Large
Next up, Guardiola’s side faces arch-rivals Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday. With City trailing league leaders Liverpool by eight points, the derby is shaping up as a pivotal moment in their season. Guardiola will need to rally his team quickly, as both their domestic and European campaigns hang in the balance.
The clash at Etihad could either spark a revival or deepen City’s woes further in what has been an uncharacteristically turbulent season.
