Troubles at Man City: What's going on?

The English champions suffered a third consecutive defeat in the Champions League on Nov 5, losing 4-1 to Sporting Lisbon. This marked the first time since 2018 that they had lost three games in a row.

Midfielder Bernardo Silva said the side were in a “dark place” after losing against Tottenham Hotspur, Bournemouth and Sporting in three different competitions.

Guardiola had a more optimistic outlook, pledging to “fight and not give up”. But what are some reasons for City’s recent struggles after a strong start to the season?

When Guardiola confirmed in late September that midfielder Rodri would miss the rest of the campaign with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, it felt potentially seismic.

City’s squad is packed with talent but Rodri is the man who makes them tick – he is on a personal unbeaten run spanning 52 Premier League fixtures.

In October, the 28-year-old won the Ballon d’Or award in recognition of his achievements with City and Spain.

Guardiola has also been without a clutch of other stars this season.

Kevin de Bruyne returned as a late substitute against Lisbon – his first appearance since mid-September.

Oscar Bobb, Ruben Dias, Jack Grealish and John Stones did not travel to Portugal, while other players have also been struggling with injury, including Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake.

Silva said before City’s match in Portugal that they would “never find excuses” but even a club with their vast resources do not have ready replacements for players of the quality of Rodri and de Bruyne.

City have dominated English football for the bulk of the past decade, breaking record after record under Guardiola.

They became just the second club to win the treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup in 2023 and last season became the first club in history to win four straight English top-flight titles.

Guardiola’s hunger for success appears undiminished and he has transferred that desire to his players, winning the Premier League in six of his eight full seasons at the Etihad.

The Catalan said in August that he and his players go into each campaign driven by a desire to get even better despite their remarkable success.