Dec 24 (V7N) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has voiced concerns over his team’s recent poor form, warning that they are at risk of missing out on next season's UEFA Champions League.

City, who have qualified for Europe’s top club competition for the past 14 seasons, have struggled in the Premier League, winning just once in their last eight games. They currently sit in seventh place, 12 points behind league leaders Liverpool and four points adrift of the fourth-place Nottingham Forest, who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot.

Guardiola's Comments

Speaking ahead of City’s home match against Everton, Guardiola highlighted the importance of qualifying for the Champions League, referencing other English clubs' struggles to maintain consistent European appearances:

 "When I said before, people laughed. They said, 'qualifying for the Champions League is not a big success.' But I know it because it happens with clubs in this country. They were dominant for many years and after they were many years not qualifying for the Champions League. The one team that has been in the Champions League for the past years has been Manchester City. Now we are at risk, of course we are."

Manchester City face Everton at home later on Thursday, followed by an away match against Leicester City on December 29. These fixtures are critical for Guardiola’s side to regain momentum and close the gap on the top four.

City’s dip in form has come as a surprise given their dominance in recent seasons. Guardiola will need to rally his squad to improve performances in the remaining games of the season if they are to secure a place in Europe’s elite competition for the 15th consecutive year.

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