Manchester City

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Jack Grealish believes Manchester City have been questioned many times since he's been at the club, but thinks they "have always come up" with an answer.

With City facing a decisive Champions League tie against Club Brugge next Wednesday, Grealish isn't understating the importance of it.

"Next week is like a final for us. We have to win," he said. "But since I've been here there's been so many moments when people have questioned us as a team and we've always come up. Hopefully we can do that next week and get through to the next round."

The 29-year-old was introduced as a half-time substitute in Wednesday's defeat at Paris St-Germain and scored the first goal, with Erling Haaland adding a second only three minutes later.

Then City conceded four.

"It's usually perfect for us if we come to these grounds and go two goals up," Grealish said.

"I think that's when we're at our best (in of) managing the game, keeping the ball, a lot of es and stuff.

"Unfortunately, too many times this season we've been a couple of goals up and then we end up losing it.

"I'm not sure why that is, whether it's a confidence thing or not. I'm not too sure at the moment. We had the momentum and then it just switched all of a sudden.

"Credit to them. In the end they deserved to win the game and it's down to us now to try and win the game next week."

Despite the setback against PSG, Grealish thinks City are in a good position to qualify: "It's in our hands, which is lucky. We don't have to rely on anyone else, it's down to us.

"So we're going to need the Etihad rocking, like it is on Champions League nights. We all know it's a must-win game and hopefully we can go and get it."

Constantin Eckner
German Football Writer

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The most important question for fans is how new £59m forward Omar Marmoush may be used at Manchester City, especially after another Champions League collapse at Paris St-Germain on Wednesday.

Following the sale of Julian Alvarez last summer, City have had only one genuine striker this season following the sale of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid during the summer. Erling Haaland has only been substituted twice in the Premier League. Otherwise, he has played every single minute thus far this season.

The excessive use of the Norwegian, as important as he is to City, does not seem sustainable.

Hence, Marmoush might be the one to carry some of the load up front. But paying this kind of sum for a glorified back-up would be unreasonable. Instead, Marmoush could also work well in a two-striker set-up with Haaland.

At Eintracht Frankfurt, he occasionally featured on the wings, While he is nowhere near the dribbler Jeremy Doku or Savinho is, he brings a certain degree of cleverness on the flank.

Striker might be Marmoush's prime position, but his versatility is a big plus.

It is easy to understand why Guardiola fancies a tactically flexible and smart forward like him.

Read the full piece here

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Manager Pep Guardiola itted a couple of weeks ago he made a mistake not following the advice of senior figures at Manchester City in the summer by refreshing his squad.

Now we are seeing the result of that self-reflection.

Omar Marmoush's arrival is slightly different to those of Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov in that the Egyptian is filling the void left by the sale of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid rather than having time to bed in before eventually replacing older players.

It has been clear for most of the season that Erling Haaland needed someone to share the burden of responsibility for scoring goals and threatening the opposition.

Marmoush is that man.

He has scored 20 goals in all competitions for Frankfurt over the first half of the campaign.

While it remains to be seen how Marmoush links with Haaland, who signed his own mammoth nine-and-a-half-year deal last week, Guardiola will at least feel he has more attacking options for the remainder of the campaign.

Marmoush is expected to be available for Saturday's Premier League game with Chelsea, although he cannot be ed for next week's crucial Champions League encounter with Club Brugge - a game City must win to secure a play-off berth.

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Manchester City have agreed a loan deal with AC Milan for veteran defender Kyle Walker.

The agreement includes an option to buy in the summer when the loan comes to an end.

Club captain Walker has been at City since 2017 and made 316 appearances.

He won six Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups and four League Cups.

Read more on Walker's exit to AC Milan

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Manchester City have completed the £63m g of Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt on a four-and-a-half year deal until June 2029.

"This is a day I will never forget," said Marmoush. "I am delighted, my family are so proud, and we are all very happy to be here in Manchester.

"With Pep, his technical staff and the world-class facilities here, players have everything they need to become better. That was really enticing for me - and I cannot deny I also want to win trophies."

Director of football, Txiki Begiristain added: "Omar is an accomplished and exciting forward, and I'm delighted he's ing us.

"He's had an outstanding season, and every time we have watched him, he has influenced matches. He has all the attributes a top-class attacker requires.

"He can also play a number of different positions, which is a really valuable asset."

What do you think?

In the past week, City have spent £121m and secured Erling Haaland on a contract until 2034. So, is the rebuild complete?

Or is more required to climb back to the top of the Premier League and Europe?

Let us know here

We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Champions League game between Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City.

Here are some of your comments:

Stella: That was truly shocking yet many fans who have watched City in the last couple of seasons expected it - the demise has been coming. The majority are too old, positionally confused and lacking the hunger that drives great performances. Pep Guardiola is culpable for most of this slide. He refuses to see what is plainly there in a malfunctioning team. The new gs, presumably including the incoming Omar Marmoush, will help, but I am still wondering why no defensive midfielder has been signed?

Phil: A major rebuild required. This will be the worst season since Pep's first with us... but how brilliant have they been in between? Start again afresh next season.

Brian: While we're busy collecting centre-backs, has it occurred to anyone we haven't got any full-backs? Josko Gvardiol is a centre-back who is pretty decent at left-back. If Pep believes Rico Lewis, Matheus Nunes and Mateo Kovacic are Premier League-standard players, let alone Champions League quality, he needs to wake up and smell the coffee. A shocking defensive display and an inability to keep possession in our half is why we got exactly what we deserved in Paris.

Usama: It will be a blessing in disguise to not make it through the group phase. We are absolutely abysmal - the easiest team to play against. Non-existent midfield again and won none of our duels. Slow on the ball and timid with a complete lack of urgency. This is on Pep for not adapting. These sort of games will keep on happening as we have already witnessed so far this season. Dreadful.

Yusuf: What a disappointing performance. PSG were able to get all over them and had double the amount of chances than City. Despite the two goals, they weren't able to hold that win defensively. To be honest, I think this is the worst season that City have had with Pep Guardiola.

Carlos: Do I still have to pretend I like Pep? He did us well in the PAST but needs to go. A top European club would have sacked him by now.

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The manner in which Manchester City collapsed in the Stade Drance, crumbling in the face of PSG's thrilling attacking assault, exposed every flaw that has seen Pep Guardiola's side slide into a steep decline this season.

They are off the pace in defence of their domestic title, while they now need a win against Club Brugge at Etihad Stadium to go into the Champions League play-offs, their standing of 25th in the new table something that should serve as a source of embarrassment to everyone at the club.

Guardiola's Manchester City of old would have completed the job after going two up. Not this version. Not the version that has lost eight points from winning positions in the Champions League and 14 in the Premier League.

In a PSG barrage, City faced 26 shots - the highest total against them since the Champions League game against Real Madrid in September 2012 when the Spaniards had 35.

Guardiola, as he stood soaked and stunned on the sidelines, powerless to prevent a defeat which should have been far more emphatic, may now realise he has an even bigger rebuilding job on his hands than he thought.

What was unthinkable at the start of the season will now be troubling the thoughts of a manager and team in danger of elimination before the last 16.

Read Phil McNulty's full piece from Paris here

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Former England defender Matt Upson says Paris Saint-Germain "ran riot" as Manchester City surrendered a two-goal lead in the Champions League.

"There was an element of fortune for the City goals but it was down to driving and being positive," said Upson on BBC Radio 5 Live. "Then, it is just hard to explain.

"The distances were miles off. When PSG got that first goal, you just knew [they would go on to win the game]. It was just chance after chance. PSG ran riot.

"City's confidence has been dented. You can't just walk into the supermarket and buy confidence off the shelf.

"They are not quite there physically either, but I think that is down to the confidence. Once you get that sinking feeling, it is going to fall apart. It is difficult for the team and difficult for the manager - and it is a tough moment."

Listen to the Champions League Debrief on BBC Sounds

Juventus have offered Chelsea the opportunity to sign Brazil midfielder Douglas Luiz, 26, who is also on the radar of Manchester City and Arsenal. (Teamtalk, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

This is how the bottom half of the league table looks after seven games. Any side that finishes 25th or below after eight gameweeks will be eliminated.

Manchester City, European champions in 2023, currently occupy 25th spot, but with Stuttgart in 24th entertaining Paris Saint-Germain in 22nd next week in a winner-takes-all clash, that gives City a route into the play-offs.

If City win at home to Club Brugge, then Pep Guardiola's side will scrape into the play-offs. If they draw or lose to Club Brugge, City will be out and their European campaign will be all over before the end of January.

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Manchester City's match against Club Brugge will be like their "first knockout game" of the Champions League campaign, says former defender Nedum Onuoha.

City's 4-2 defeat away to Paris Saint-Germain has left them sitting 25th in the table and in danger of exiting the competition unless they win their final game at home to Club Brugge next Wednesday.

Speaking on MOTD: Uefa Champions League, Onuoha said: "Manchester City looked like they suffered for the vast majority of that second half, which is unlike City, and they were never able to rebound because the pressure was on all the time.

"This one [losing the lead] feels different to the Brentford one and different to the Feyenoord one, because Paris Saint-Germain were by far the better team.

"The most shocking thing about City's performance is how poorly they managed the game from 2-0 up. City teams of the past would have taken the sting out of the game and stayed in control, but instead they could not keep the ball at all.

"Not many people thought that Manchester City would be in this position whereby they would have to have a must-win game against Club Brugge in the final game to essentially scrape through into the knockout rounds.

"But, the opportunity is there. There is going to be some nervousness, but it is a big game and it is basically their first knockout game of the competition."

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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to TNT Sports: "The first half they had some moments, we had some moments, but they were better.

"We scored the first goal, we could not control it. In that moment we were knocked out and they were lifted and then they were better. They were quicker, faster, stronger in the duels. They had control in the middle and we could not cope with that.

"I accept the defeat because the best team won. We have a last chance at home against Club Brugge. If we win then hopefully we can qualify.

"The game was never like we wanted but for that I give so much credit to PSG. They are an extraordinary team. But at 2-0 if we could manage it... but they scored right after. Then if we could keep the ball a little bit and stay like that it would have been better but we could not do it.

"To defend the result you have to keep the ball and we did not do that. They had it more, they attacked better and that is why it was difficult.

On City potentially going out of the competition: "It could happen. If we don't win, we don't deserve it.

"Sporting is tough, PSG is tough, Juventus is tough, all the away games we had were difficult. This is the reality. We did not get enough points. The last game against Bruges will dictate what we have to do."

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Manchester City goalscorer Jack Grealish, speaking to TNT Sports: "I don't know what happened.

"Usually in those moments we're so good, it's happened too many times this season where we've gone one, two, three goals up and we've not be able to control the game and see it out.

"It's weird because in every other season we've been so good in those moments, managing the game. I don't know if it's a confidence thing. For most of this season we've not been at the levels we know we can be. It's down to ourselves to try and change that moving forward and to try and win the game next week.

"It's difficult, I don't know if it's a confidence thing, we had so many players on the pitch when we went 2-0 up that are so good at keeping the ball. We've not been doing that recently.

"Credit to Paris, they were so good, very energetic. A lot better than I thought - I don't mean that in a bad way but they were top tonight, a really good team. I think they deserved to win."

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Manchester City have failed to win a game in which they were ahead in all competitions this season on nine occasions (D5 L4) - the most of any Premier League club in 2024-25.

They have also lost their past three away Champions League matches - their second-longest losing streak on the road after four defeats on the bounce between November 2011 and December 2012 under Roberto Mancini.