Manchester City is facing a significant crisis under coach Pep Guardiola, suffering their ninth defeat in twelve matches after a 1:2 loss, which has dropped them in the standings. Guardiola noted some improvements despite a lackluster second half. Star striker Erling Haaland acknowledged the team’s poor performance but remains optimistic about Guardiola’s ability to resolve the issues. Meanwhile, Arsenal secured a vital 5:1 victory, and Niclas Füllkrug had a challenging debut in a 1:1 draw.
The English football powerhouse is currently grappling with its most significant crisis under the leadership of star coach Pep Guardiola. On matchday 17, the team faced a disappointing 1:2 defeat, marking a troubling trend.
This latest loss marks the ninth defeat in just twelve competitive matches, during which Guardiola’s immensely talented squad has managed to secure only one victory. As a result, they have slipped from fifth place to a lower position in the standings.
After yet another setback, Guardiola pointed to a lackluster second half as a contributing factor but noted some slight improvements in his team’s performance. ‘Today we played a really good game‘, the 53-year-old remarked, expressing his unwavering support for his players. He is confident that their form will return, stating, ‘Step by step. We have good personalities in the team, and sooner or later we will find it again.’
Haaland Reflects on Team Performance
‘It was not good enough, not even from me’, star striker Erling Haaland shared with ‘TNT’. The atmosphere among the City players is less than ideal, with such a negative streak likely impacting morale: ‘it would hit every person’. However, he remains optimistic about Guardiola’s ability to find solutions, declaring: ‘He will find solutions, he has done that every year. We still believe in him.’
Villa’s goals came from Jhon Duran (16th) and Morgan Rogers (65th), contributing to a disappointing day for City, who themselves have struggled with three wins in their last twelve matches. City’s goalkeeper, Stefan Ortega Moreno, played a crucial role in preventing a more significant defeat, while former DFB captain Ilkay Gündogan was replaced after a subpar performance (72nd). Phil Foden (90+3) managed to score a consolation goal.
Guardiola’s Tactical Changes
Just 17 seconds into the match, Duran tested Ortega Moreno, who was selected over the out-of-form Ederson. After suffering a defeat in the previous derby, Guardiola made several changes, introducing six new players, including Kevin De Bruyne. Ortega Moreno made a commendable save against Pau (2nd), but could not stop Duran during a counterattack. Foden (35th) came close to equalizing, but Villa’s attacking play proved more threatening.
In the second half, Villa consistently outmaneuvered the City defense, culminating in a beautifully executed 2:0 by Rogers, a product of the City academy, leaving Guardiola visibly frustrated.
Arsenal’s Triumph with Havertz’s Contribution
Arsenal secured a vital three points in their quest for the title, achieving a resounding 5:1 (3:1) victory, highlighted by goals from Kai Havertz. This win positions them just three points behind the league leaders, though they have played two games less.
The scoring for Arsenal was led by Gabriel Jesus (6th, 14th), Havertz (38th), Gabriel Martinelli (60th), and Declan Rice (84th), while Ismaila Sarr (11th) briefly equalized for the opposition. Palace had additional chances to score, but Arsenal’s goalkeeper, David Raya, made several crucial saves to maintain the lead.
Füllkrug’s Challenging Debut
Niclas Füllkrug faced a challenging debut for his new club, registering only 13 touches of the ball in a disappointing 1:1 (0:0) draw against a team managed by German Fabian Hürzeler. Füllkrug attempted just one shot, which failed to hit the target. Remarkably, his team found the net only after he had been substituted—an action that led to the equalizer by Mohammed Kudus (58th) following Mats Wieffer’s (51st) opening goal.
Brighton appeared more likely to clinch the win towards the end. In the closing moments, Kaoru Mitoma hit the post, while goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski had to make several critical saves. For Füllkrug, who has been sidelined for an extended period due to Achilles tendon issues, this match marked his seventh competitive appearance (with one goal) for his new club. Team manager Julen Lopetegui commented on Füllkrug’s recent struggles: ‘He has had a few difficult months’, adding that despite not being at his peak, the team is pleased to have him back, asserting, ‘He will help us and be strong.’