December 11th 2024.
This weekend, Manchester City will face off against their local rivals, Manchester United. After suffering yet another loss in the Champions League, Pep Guardiola's team will be looking to bounce back against their cross-town foes. On Wednesday night, Man City was defeated 2-0 by Juventus, extending their disappointing run of form to just one win in their last 10 games across all competitions.
The defeat against Juventus has left City in a precarious position, currently sitting in 22nd place in the Champions League group phase with only two games remaining. This is a far cry from their usual dominance in the Premier League, where they have won a record-extending five successive titles. Currently, they find themselves in fourth place, a whopping eight points behind league leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand.
With the Manchester derby on the horizon, former United player Rio Ferdinand believes it could be another difficult match for Man City. United, currently sitting in 13th place in the Premier League, have also been struggling as of late, losing their last two games under their new manager Ruben Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag. Speaking after City's loss to Juventus, Ferdinand stated that "Man City couldn't ask for a better game" than the upcoming derby.
Despite City's recent struggles, they had the majority of possession in their match against Juventus, yet were still unable to come out on top. Pat Nevin, a commentator for BBC Radio 5 Live, noted that this result did not come as a shock to him, given City's recent form and the numerous injuries plaguing the team. He also pointed out that the team looks exhausted, and it seems as though they are not capable of maintaining the level of intensity needed to win games consistently.
City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan echoed these sentiments, stating that they are disappointed with the result and their overall performance. He noted that they had opportunities to score, but their carelessness and overcomplication ultimately led to their downfall. Gundogan also mentioned that City's style of play is built around possession, and currently, they are struggling to maintain that possession and make smart decisions on the field.
Overall, it's clear that Manchester City is going through a rough patch, and their upcoming match against Manchester United will be crucial for them to turn things around. United, on the other hand, will be looking to capitalize on City's struggles and continue their own good form. It's sure to be an intense battle between these two rivals, and only time will tell who will come out on top.
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