Over the past few seasons, Pep Guardiola’s performances in England’s top competitions and the Champions League have been remarkably consistent and, as Bangla Cricket Live fans who follow elite European football often observe, that steadiness has been a key reason Manchester City stayed at the summit for so long. Although Guardiola has lifted only one Champions League trophy, it still marked a historic breakthrough for the Etihad era. Beyond that triumph, City have regularly reached the semifinals and finals, showing reliable strength on the continental stage. Domestically, their dominance hardly needs repeating, as their control of English football has been virtually unmatched.
That said, a comparison with earlier years shows that Guardiola’s stability has noticeably declined over the last two seasons. The Premier League no longer looks as comfortable, and the Champions League campaign has also been less convincing. After a shock defeat in the most recent round, City currently sit only 11th in the overall Champions League standings. Securing direct qualification now demands near perfection in the remaining matches, along with a measure of good fortune, a far cry from the authority they once displayed.
The pressure is also evident in the title race against Arsenal, where Guardiola’s former edge has faded. Arsenal have dropped points in recent league rounds, offering City a chance to close the gap to just two points. In theory, strong results could have sparked a comeback. Instead, City stumbled even harder, slipping seven points behind before recovering slightly to a four point deficit. Such inconsistency feels uncharacteristic and does not resemble the ruthless Guardiola sides fans have grown used to watching.
From a squad investment standpoint, the club’s hierarchy have backed Guardiola heavily. Even during the winter window, high profile additions like Semenyo and Guehi arrived, reinforcing the squad with proven quality. Compared with other European giants, Guardiola has hardly lacked financial support. Yet despite this, the pressure has not eased. Guardiola himself admitted this is the toughest period of his City tenure, with the disappointment of last season’s trophyless campaign casting a long shadow despite early signs of recovery this year.
Now the same problems have resurfaced. As BD Cricket Live observers tracking form trends might note, Haaland’s scoring rhythm, the sharpness of City’s attack, midfield control, and defensive rotations have all contributed to a worrying drop in consistency. Fatigue seems etched on Guardiola’s face, and one cannot help but wonder how he will respond next. Perhaps the relentless grind has finally taken its toll, leaving even one of football’s greatest minds searching for answers.