The road to the Champions League won’t be a cakewalk for Manchester City | OneFootball

Following their nil-all draw with Manchester United and this weekend’s results, Manchester City faces a battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League. As it stands currently, Pep Guardiola’s side sits 6th in the Premier League table. On paper, Manchester City’s final seven Premier League fixtures do appear to be easier than what they’ve previously faced. But based on the issues on the pitch Pep Guardiola’s squad is facing the path to the Champions League will be far from a cakewalk for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Manchester City’s final seven Premier League fixtures are as follows. They play Crystal Palace, Everton, Aston Villa, Wolves, Southampton, Bournemouth and Fulham. There are no easy games on that list for a variety of reasons. Perhaps the Southampton game looms as the easiest match on that list but even that is no formality. The Saints relegation is now confirmed and they may play with nothing to lose over the closing stages of this season.

But where the problem is for Manchester City is this City team is they don’t appear capable of dominating games like they once could. They appear to be built to control games and grind out results. That’s the way this squad minus Erling Haaland appears to be built. Pep Guardiola’s recent team selections do give this impression. There are too many of City’s key players either out of form or past their best. To qualify for next season’s Champions League Pep Guardiola’s must lift collectively. That’s the reality of the situation facing City’s squad.

Manchester City’s road to Champions League qualification won’t be easy. While City’s remaining Premier League fixtures look simple they simply won’t be. Pep Guardiola’s side may have to grind their way to a top-5 finish this season. If that’s what it takes that is what must be done. Nothing since November has come easy for Manchester City. You do sense that their path to the Champions League for next season will follow the same route.