Manchester City’s struggles in the Premier League continued as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, marking their ninth loss of the season.
Callum Hudson-Odoi’s decisive goal not only secured victory for Forest but also left City grappling to maintain their Champions League qualification hopes.
Ruben Dias, City’s defensive stalwart, attributed the loss to the dry pitch at the City Ground, claiming it hindered their ability to move the ball quickly.
“With the pitch dry, it makes things a bit more difficult,” Dias remarked, referencing similar challenges faced in previous matches at Fulham and Forest.
While Dias acknowledged that Pep Guardiola’s side controlled the game, he emphasized the importance of addressing “the little extras” such as ball movement and defensive precision.
As City enters the final stretch of the season, Dias called for strong leadership within the squad to navigate this challenging period.
“Right now, to fight for this top four is our final of the Champions League,” he stated, underscoring the team’s determination to secure a spot in Europe’s elite competition.
With ten games remaining, Manchester City faces an uphill battle to reclaim their dominance. The focus now shifts to regrouping and addressing the finer details that have eluded them this season.