AFCON 2025
Manchester City’s humbling 4-1 defeat away at Sporting CP in the Champions League on Tuesday has left them in a “dark place,” according to captain Bernardo Silva.
A hat trick by Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres saw Sporting hit back from a goal down to stun Pep Guardiola’s men, who have now lost three games in a row in all competitions for the first time since 2018.
“At the beginning of the second half, we just gave them too many opportunities to be there and to score goals,” the Portugal midfielder said.
“Disappointing, because we are in a dark place right now, and everything looks to be going the wrong way even when we play well.
“We need to look inside, check what we’re not doing well, and improve quickly. Otherwise, it will be difficult to come back from these losses.”
While the Premier League champions are certainly not in a crisis, they have experienced a humbling week. First, they were knocked out of the League Cup by Tottenham Hotspur, then their 32-match unbeaten run in the Premier League was ended by Bournemouth at the weekend.
Up next for Guardiola’s men is a difficult trip to the Amex Stadium to face Brighton.
