Manchester City Seek Champions League Comfort To Ease Premier League Pain

Manchester City's malaise leaves the English champions in the unusual position of fretting over qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League ahead of a tricky trip to Italian giants Juventus. City have won just once in their past nine games in all competitions, with an injury crisis and a loss of form for some of their biggest stars leading to the worst run of Pep Guardiola's managerial career. Despite a 4-1 humbling by Sporting Lisbon and an embarrassing collapse from 3-0 up to draw 3-3 against Feyenoord, they are still in a position to qualify from the new league-phase format.

They sit 17th in the 36-team table, with a top-24 finish enough to secure a place in the playoff round at the least.

However, their chances of direct entry to the last 16 by finishing in the top eight look slim, with another difficult trip to Paris Saint-Germain to come in January before a home game against Club Brugge.

The Champions League is even more significant for City this season with their Premier League title defence seemingly in tatters.

After an unprecedented four consecutive English top-flight titles, the champions, in fourth place, trail Liverpool by eight points and Arne Slot's men also have a game in hand.

City have often hit top form down the home straight to win the league during Guardiola's six title successes in the past seven seasons.

This time the mood music around the Etihad is different, with injuries among an ageing squad taking a heavy toll.

"The season starts difficult, it will be difficult all season," said Guardiola after his side's latest stumble in a 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

"We have to survive the season, every game, try to take points, to try to win games and go forward."

City squad