Manchester City are at risk of missing out on next season’s Champions League due to their recent dip in form, manager Pep Guardiola said.
City, who are looking to qualify for Europe’s top club competition for a 15th straight season, have won just one of their last nine Premier League games after Erling Haaland had a second-half penalty saved in a 1-1 draw against lowly Everton at the Etihad Stadium yesterday.
Bernardo Silva put City in front early on before Iliman Ndiaye salvaged a point for the Toffees. The hard-fought point for the visitors edges Everton five clear of the relegation zone in 15th.
City boss Pep Guardiola conceded ahead of the game that his side are at risk of failing to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 15 years.
The top four automatically qualify for Europe’s premier club competition but fifth is likely to be enough this season due to a strong start by English clubs in European competition.
“The one team that has been in the Champions League for the past years has been Manchester City,” said Guardiola. “Now we are at risk, of course we are. Definitely.”
Not for the first time in City’s miserable few months they failed to build on a promising start.