“He’s got no answers for it right now!” - Jamie Carragher talks up Pep Guardiola and Manchester City ‘crisis’ after loss to Juventus
Jamie Carragher has shared his thoughts on the crisis facing Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City team following their defeat to Juventus in the UEFA Champions League. The Cityzens' hopes of progressing in the competition are hanging by a thread after they suffered a 2-0 loss in Turin on Wednesday, December 11.
Manchester City have struggled lately, winning only one of their last 10 games across competitions, losing seven. Injuries have been unkind to the Premier League champions as they have been without several key players, but they look like a side bereft of confidence.
Former Liverpool defender Carragher thinks Pep Guardiola has no answers to the problems he is facing for the first time in his career. He labeled it a 'massive crisis' and pointed out that the Barcelona legend has never faced a situation like this in his career.
"You can't believe what you're seeing! I mean, this is a massive crisis. This was a crisis two or three weeks ago. The greatest and most successful manager, possibly, of all-time... he's got no answers for it right now! He's tried different systems, players in different positions," Carragher said.
"He's never gone through this before, so he's got no experience in this situation. Nothing to fall back on - because he's been so successful in the past!" he added. "I think there's a lot of coaches around the world looking at Pep with a wry smile and thinking: 'Finally! Pep Guardiola is going through something that we've all been through at some stage in our career!'"
Pep Guardiola inked a new deal with Manchester City at the beginning of their run of poor form to potentially keep him at the club until 2027. With his side fourth in the league, out of the League Cup, and in 22nd place in the UEFA Champions League, the Spanish manager has to find a way to start winning consistently again.
Manchester City in danger of early elimination after Juventus defeat
Manchester City are in danger of missing out on a place in the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League after losing 2-0 to Juventus in Turin. The Cityzens have lost two of their last three games in the European competition, drawing the other against Feyenoord.
Pep Guardiola's side had the best chance of the first half when Erling Haaland was denied by a brilliant save from Michele Di Gregorio before the Italian giants came alive in the second period. Goals from Dusan Vlahovic (53') and Weston McKennie (75') gave the hosts a win in front of their fans.
Manchester City will face Paris Saint-Germain next in the Champions League before playing Belgian outfit Club Brugge in the final game of the group phase.