Manchester City

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Manchester City midfielder Rodri is the most important piece of the club's puzzle, says Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague and that is why his absence is affecting the whole team.

Likening the Ballan D'Or player to the most important piece in the game Jenga, Balague told the BBC Radio 5 Live Euro Leagues podcast: "It's not easy to single out one thing that explains the situation City are in, but injuries are certainly a massive problem.

"It is not just about them having a weaker starting XI. There are no foundations possible if your biggest players are missing or out of form. It is the same with players getting re-injured because they have had to come back too early.

"This is very much like the game Jenga. If you remove one piece from the wrong place then the whole thing comes crashing down. Rodri is that one piece.

"In the past, the most important player was always the number nine because if you get balls to them then goals will happen. But without Rodri the whole thing collapses."

With City struggling in a very uncharacteristic run of one win in nine games in all competitions, Balague offered some explanation: "When you have won a lot it is difficult to keep doing it.

"They have relaxed on signings and contract renewals in recent years and have been uncharacteristically less ruthless. Ilkay Gundogan's return, for example, doesn't really make much sense.

"Next season they have to start over. They have big decisions to make in terms of Bernardo Silva and Kevin de Bruyne because they need more, young and hungry players.

"They are the ones who can adapt to the demanding world of Pep Guardiola."

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Manchester City have accepted they need to buy players in the January transfer window, following their poor run of form, with four to six signings possible over the next two windows. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

As part of this, City want 26-year-old Valencia midfielder Pepelu to provide cover for the injured Rodri. (Estadio Deportivo), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

On this week's episode of You'll Never Beat Kyle Walker, the Manchester City captain gives the lowdown on football club training grounds and what Pep Guardiola's office smells like.

Listen to You'll Never Beat Kyle Walker

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Former Premier League winger Pat Nevin believes there is more than one issue at Manchester City as the club fell to a seventh loss in 10 games with defeat at Juventus.

That is as many losses as they had suffered in their previous 105 matches combined.

Speaking on the Football Daily podcast, Nevin said: "If it was one simple thing, Pep Guardiola would have sorted it. A lot of things have happened at the same time. Rodri not playing, not controlling the game, that makes a huge difference, first of all.

"Second of all, I think for a period of time, they've had full-back problems. The second goal was an absolute stick-on of where your problem is there, particularly if you tell one of them to play centre midfield and they get lost.

"Because of the respect that we've got for Manchester City and of the players and of what Guardiola's done, it is true, they're not what they were because they're getting older and they can't get around the pitch quickly.

"They're not as good players as they were, not as sharp or zippy. It's only a tiny little drop, it's tiny."

City's frustration is also highlighted by Erling Haaland's touch map (as shown below), with the Norwegian striker only managing to have 18 touches of the ball despite playing the whole game.

In comparison, City goalkeeper Ederson had the second fewest touches, but still had over double the amount of Haaland on 38.

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Manchester City's 2-0 defeat by Juventus left Pep Guardiola's side with one win in 10 matches in all competitions.

City supporter Rachel Herdson was asked on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast if she agreed with Guardiola's positive comments about their performance.

"Quite frankly I don't because he said 'we are the best'," she said. "Well, the league doesn't really reflect that anymore unfortunately.

"I've been speaking to you guys about what I thought was a small dip in form but now it seems to be a full-on crisis. You try to remain calm and rational but what's really worrying is the level of performance and the level of drop-off.

"The really poor form continues and it doesn't look like halting any time soon.

"Even when we get a couple of players back to full fitness, the fact now it feels like a mentality and confidence thing is really concerning."

On Guardiola trying to keep the positivity, Herdson added: "It's very difficult for us to be scathing of a manager and players who've brought us so much recent success. The reality is, unfortunately, Pep is part of the problem because of his reluctance to not deviate from tactics that have served us so well in the past.

"Unfortunately that game just does not suit us anymore. Now's the time to change."

Former City midfielder Michael Brown added: "When they fielded the team that they did, you do still expect them to go and get a result. It's difficult times - it's fragile. Talking about lacking in confidence, making the wrong mistakes, the wrong choices but I just think there's pure fatigue now with the group.

"You look at the youngsters on the bench. They've just maybe not got enough squad depth."

We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Champions League game between Juventus and Manchester City.

Here are some of your comments:

Clint: It is what it is. This has been waiting to happen for the last two years. Pep's tactical approach is draining on his players. He admits so himself. He said after Barcelona and Bayern Munich that three years is about the optimum to play in his system before burning out. Some of these City players have been with him for over eight years! They are tired, drained and need a rest or a change. City need to write off this season and start to rebuild with fresh talent. Still miles ahead of the opposition when at full strength.

John: Did enough to win as usual but as has very recently been the case, contrived to find a way to lose. I've got no explanation.

Stella: We really need Pep to see what is happening by being realistic. Despite his insistence, we are not playing well. We look pedestrian, sloppy and unfocused. Moreover, many of the players shipped out, such as Palmer, Torres and Lavia, look better than those retained or signed. It requires pace and quicker play. Too old at one end and too raw at the other. Really poor succession planning!

Brian: Man City are the masters of their own downfall at present. Too much passing and not enough attacking, with an open door defence. The lack of pace and so much ball watching is a gift to other teams. City are afraid of their own shadow at present.

Russell: City are too predictable and need a midfield general to take control and be a leader. Their possession-based football looks inept with no final product.

Phil: It is now clear which players are reaching the end of a career in top flight football and the complete lack of support that Erling Haaland is receiving. It is easier to pass back than attack. It is easier to pass back than shoot. A major rethink is now required leading up to the transfer window. I have never been disappointed when the youngsters have been given a chance.

Ashley: Poor performance. We need to start with Ortega after watching Ederson.

Juventus dealt a further blow to Manchester City as the Premier League champions were beaten 2-0 in Turin.

The defeat leaves City 22nd in the Champions League table with just two games remaining.

Take a look at the highlights and what the pundits had to say.

Since the start of November, Manchester City have conceded more goals across all competitions than any other team from Europe's big five leagues (21 in nine games).

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Manchester City are "the compelling story of the football season," says BBC Radio 5 Live commentator John Murray.

City have lost seven of their past 10 matches across all competitions and are also in danger of exiting the Champions League early after their defeat to Juventus.

"No one saw this happening," Murray said on the Football Daily podcast. "There was just an expectation that Manchester City would continue to roll on and on.

"This does happen to every team, but the feeling was that it will never happen to them!"

Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin added: "And we still absolutely refuse to write them off. That is because we know that the injured players coming back will make a difference."

Ex-Premier League defender Gary Cahill agrees, but also acknowledges Pep Guardiola's achievements in the last four years and the high-bar his side has set in terms of expectations.

"There is still an element in me that is refusing to believe it all and I half expect them to turn results around and go on some unbelievable run," said Cahill.

"When you look at their last four seasons, they have won four titles and that really is incredible.

"These boys have experienced so much, but this is a slightly different one for them. They are only human but they have won so much and in turn set the standards that they have.

"That is why everyone is making such a big fuss over them."

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Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

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With one win in 10 games in all competitions, Manchester City are going through one of their toughest periods in recent history.

Wednesday's Champions League loss to Juventus was their seventh defeat during that run and leaves them in a battle to ensure they are not eliminated before the knockouts.

The concern against Juventus is just how little City looked like their old selves. They dominated possession but struggled to create much in the final third, while defensive lapses proved their undoing.

They will likely progress to the two-legged play-off at least, although they have a tough away trip to PSG in their next league phase game they finish this stage with a home tie against Club Brugge.

But City are used to being practically home and dry by this stage of the Champions League. For them and Pep Guardiola it is unfamiliar territory.

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Manchester City "will get asked questions" while in this difficult patch of form, says former Premier League defender Gary Cahill.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after City's 2-0 defeat at Juventus, Cahill said: "You are scratching your head and you are wondering 'why?' And you are looking for solutions.

"I think the only solutions are - you work even harder, you stick to the principles that have given them so much success over the years and you stay together as a group.

"There is a lot of outside noise, which is expected. You get a pat on the back when you are doing well and get asked questions when you aren't. They need to stick together as a group and go from there.

"How they go and save their season, it wouldn't surprise you if they went and picked up the FA Cup, so go and win a trophy. Go and beat Manchester United at the weekend, build from there.

"In terms of the league, I think it is too late. The last few seasons, you lose between three and six games and that is probably the max you can lose. They have given up four already. So you just have to keep working hard."

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Manchester City are in "real danger" in the Champions League after 2-0 defeat by Juventus in Turin, says former Chelsea midfielder Pat Nevin.

The loss leaves Pep Guardiola's side one point off Paris Saint-Germain in the table, their next opponents in the competition.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Nevin said: "The biggest worry is, you keep on playing like this then there is a chance you don't get through.

"With two games [to go] they should still be able to do it.

"But the saddest thing about Manchester City tonight is 'are you really shocked?' I'm not completely shocked.

"The way they have been playing recently, the tiredness, we know about the injuries, playing players he'd rather rest. He had nobody he could really go to on the bench tonight to change things.

"At the moment, it's just hell on hell for Manchester City supporters. They look to me like a team that is not capable of doing it at the intensity they need to do it, at the top level, to win these games week after week.

"They are in real danger.

"It is almost shock [among City players], they are stunned by this nightmare that keeps on going."

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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to TNT Sports: "We played good, really, really good.

"We concede few, some transition happened, but I am so proud for these players. They give everything and they tried and now we live in this period and hopefully we can change results. I know it's difficult, in the Champions League in Europe. We played really good. Today we have done really well, didn't lose many balls like in the past, we tried, we arrived in the positions.

"Against Italian teams, [who] defend so deep, so compact. Master of these kind of situations. We play who we are and we missed the result but the performance is there."

On any nerves in the Champions League with two games to go: "We have two games, we need one point maybe.

"You go to Turin, Paris, our three games away were really tough. You have to accept it. We will turn around, not forget that period, appreciate more what we have done in the past, what we are going to do in the future."

Speaking his post-match news conference on if he questions himself: "Yeah of course. I analyse, use it, what happens in the results.

"Of course I question myself, in the good moments, in the bad moments. I was stable in the good moments, I was stable in the bad moments. I try to find the way, find win.

"The game was there. I am incredibly honest in knowing when we not play good or not play good."

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Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, speaking to TNT Sports: "It's very disappointing. We had chances to score a few goals but at the moment it feels like every attack we concede is just so dangerous.

"I don't know, I have a feeling sometimes we are a bit careless with duels, instead of playing simple we overcomplicate things and we missed the right timing to release the ball. Just lose the ball and give them counter attacks.

"We are built for possession, keep the ball, be strong, if you can't do anything don't lose it. At the moment it's not working out for us."

On confidence: "It's a big part of it and obviously that's a mental issue as well. You can see that. We sometimes, one action we miss the ball, lose a duel and you see that we drop immediately, lose the rhythm, they are able to break our rhythm with the easiest of things. They don't even need to do much.

"You have to do the simple things as good as possible. Work hard again, this is how you get confidence back, even in the game if you miss something, by doing small and simple things you get confidence back. At the moment we are always doing the wrong things.

"I feel like we know exactly what's going wrong. If you look at the most part of games, even today, we actually didn't play bad. [We] created chances, just missed to score, in these kind of games if you give away one chance it's not easy to bounce back.

"We know what's going wrong it's just finding the switch to turn things around because even though we are not getting results, it doesn't feel like we are far off.

"As long as we don't find that click, it's going to be tough. The only thing right now we can do, every single player needs to question themselves, to do better, how the player can individually sacrifice more to contribute to the team so we can get collectively back on our way."

After another difficult Champions League night, Manchester City find themselves sitting 22nd in the table and flirting with the danger of the elimination zone - clear by just one point of 25th with two games remaining.

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For the first time in his managerial career, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has failed to win three consecutive matches in the group/league phase of the Champions League (D1 L2). For the Citizens, meanwhile, it is their longest such run since the 2014-15 campaign (Four – D2 L2).

City have now lost seven of their past 10 matches across all competitions (W1 D2), as many defeats as they had suffered in their previous 105 matches combined (seven).

Since the start of November, Manchester City have conceded more goals across all competitions than any other team from Europe's big five leagues (21 in nine games).