Manchester City’s chase for Champions League football won’t be a straightforward task | OneFootball

With their 1-nil defeat to Nottingham Forest yesterday at the City Ground, Manchester City’s chase for Champions League football next season has become even more difficult. They sit four points behind Nuno Espirito Santo’s side on the Premier League table, with Chelsea, Brighton, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Bournemouth breathing down their necks. Typically, we have seen Pep Guardiola’s side thrive in late-season chases for honours. But this season is different, so Manchester City’s chase for Champions League football is anything but straightforward.

Yesterday’s defeat to Nottingham Forest was Manchester City’s 15th in their past 30 matches in all competitions. Simon Bajkowski of Manchester Evening News confirmed this statistic via his official X account following City’s defeat. That statistic is telling for many reasons. But what it shows more than anything else is that Pep Guardiola’s side is in for a fight to secure Champions League football. There is no other way to put it. That’s the reality of the situation after yesterday’s result.

Speaking after his team’s loss to Nottingham Forest Pep Guardiola outlined the size of the task in front of his team. In quotes relayed by ESPN Guardiola implored his team to lift their game: “We have to play better. We have to do something, it [Champions League qualification] will not come from the sky. Of course, the situation is what it is. Ten games left, next Saturday against Brighton and after we will see what happens.”

Summary.

As Pep Guardiola explained after yesterday’s match his team simply has to lift their game for the remainder of this season. They cannot continue as they are if they hope to secure Champions League football for next season. 15 defeats in their last 30 matches isn’t acceptable. It’s time the excuses and whatnot were put to one side. It will take a collective effort from Pep Guardiola’s side to secure Champions League football for next season. That must begin against Brighton next week or Manchester City’s chase for Champions League football may be doomed to fall short.