Manchester City’s recent match against Brentford in the 21st round of the Premier League ended in a disappointing 2-2 draw, despite the team’s 2-0 lead in the 78th minute. This outcome resurrected the ghosts of City’s dismal performance from October to December 2024, during which they won only one game, drew three, and lost nine.
The team’s struggles seemed to be alleviated with a string of victories in the new year, including a 2-0 win over Leicester City and a 4-1 triumph over West Ham United in the Premier League, as well as an 8-0 thrashing of Salford in the FA Cup. However, the Brentford game’s result has raised concerns about the team’s ability to close out matches.
The match saw Phil Foden score a double, putting Manchester City in a comfortable position. Nevertheless, Brentford’s Christian Nørgaard scored in the 82nd minute, and another goal in the 92nd minute sealed the draw. This dramatic turnaround was not taken lightly by Pep Guardiola, who was seen having an animated conversation with his goalkeeper, Stefan Ortega, after the final whistle.
Guardiola was also seen communicating intensely with Josko Gvardiol, praising his performance during the match. „I told him how well he played. He had an amazing game. I was happy, we’re talking about one action. The same with Ortega. I told him how well he played with the ball, he had good passes to Erling. I told him how happy and satisfied I was, especially with what these two players did,” Guardiola explained in the post-match press conference.
Manchester City currently occupies the sixth position in the Premier League table, with 35 points. They trail the fourth spot, which guarantees Champions League participation, by two points. Meanwhile, the gap between City and leaders Liverpool stands at 12 points.
Despite the setbacks, Guardiola remains optimistic about his team’s chances. With a congested fixture list ahead, Manchester City must regroup and refocus to avoid slipping further down the table. The team’s ability to close out games and maintain their cool under pressure will be crucial in the coming weeks.
In the context of Polish football, Manchester City’s struggles are a stark contrast to the impressive performances of Polish players in the English top flight. With players like Robert Lewandowski and Wojciech Szczęsny making waves in the Premier League, Polish fans are eager to see their national team thrive in the upcoming international competitions.
According to a report by Deloitte, the Premier League’s revenue is projected to reach £5.5 billion by the end of the 2024-25 season, with Manchester City being one of the top-earning clubs in the league. This financial muscle has enabled the club to attract top talent from around the world, but it also brings pressure to perform at the highest level.
As the season unfolds, Manchester City’s fans will be watching closely to see if Guardiola’s team can regain their footing and mount a serious challenge for the Premier League title. With the stakes high and the competition intense, only time will tell if City can overcome their recent struggles and achieve greatness.