Pep Guardiola faced the cameras after Manchester City’s shocking 4-0 defeat to Tottenham, and his words struck a chord: “We have to accept the reality and break it.” It was a moment of raw honesty, acknowledging a historic rough patch for both Guardiola and his team. Five straight losses, injuries piling up, and the team’s confidence shaken—what’s going on at the Etihad?
A Dip Was Inevitable
After years of dominating the Premier League, Guardiola admitted that a drop was bound to happen. But losing five matches in a row? That’s a whole different ball game. Not since Stuart Pearce’s reign in 2006 have City suffered such a streak. Guardiola’s never seen anything like it either.
He didn’t sugarcoat it. He’s feeling the sting of Liverpool potentially pulling eight points clear. With a trip to Anfield looming, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
“In eight years, we never lived this,” Guardiola said. “Sometimes football and life slap you in the face.”
How Bad Is It, Really?
The stats don’t lie, and they’re brutal:
- This is Guardiola’s worst losing streak.
- City’s heaviest home loss since a 5-1 defeat to Arsenal in 2003.
- First reigning champs to lose five in a row since Chelsea in 1956.
City had 23 shots against Spurs but failed to find the net—something that hasn’t happened since 2021. Even more concerning? They’ve conceded an average of 1.25 goals per game this season, compared to 0.79 last year.
What’s Behind the Struggles?
It’s a mix of factors, and none of them are small potatoes:
Counterattacks Are Killing Them
City’s being hit on the break more than ever—1.17 counter shots per game, almost double their previous high. Four of Spurs’ second-half chances came from lightning-fast counters.
Missing Rodri Is Huge
Rodri, arguably the best defensive midfielder in the world, is a massive miss. City wins 78% of games with him but only 50% without him. That’s a jaw-dropping difference.
An Aging Squad
Over half of City’s league minutes this season have come from players aged 29 or older—the highest in the league. Legs are getting heavier, and it’s showing.
The Numbers Are Grim
City’s goals have plummeted from 2.3 per game to just 0.8 during this losing streak. Meanwhile, their goals conceded have tripled. Even their usually airtight defense is leaking, with opponents finding better-quality chances.
| Stat | First 14 Games | Last 5 Games |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Scored | 2.3 | 0.8 |
| Goals Conceded | 0.8 | 2.8 |
| Shots on Target | 7.3 | 4.8 |
| Possession (%) | 65.9 | 64.5 |
Fragility and Frustration
Guardiola didn’t hold back in his post-match interview. “We’re fragile right now,” he said. “We’ve lost our control and don’t do well in box-to-box situations. It’s not what we’re built for.”
Football’s a game of confidence, and City’s is clearly in short supply.
The pundits didn’t mince words either. Alan Shearer pointed to defensive disarray and a lack of pressing across the pitch. Micah Richards called it “awful,” saying City lacked energy and conviction.
Jamie Redknapp labeled them “too easy to play against.” Meanwhile, Gary Neville said it was a “sobering day” for the reigning champs.
Is the Title Race Over?
Liverpool’s win against Southampton could leave City trailing by 11 points before their Anfield clash. Guardiola admitted that if that gap opens up, it’ll be nearly impossible to claw back.
For a team used to winning everything, this is uncharted territory. “If we don’t win, it’s because we don’t deserve it,” Guardiola said.
