Manchester City’s Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest tonight is a crucial match for Pep Guardiola’s side. They are in desperate need of a victory to restore confidence. The world champions will also be eager to end their seven-game winless run. Tonight’s match will be no easy fixture against the visitors. Forest sits 6th in the Premier League table and has been impressive this season. But Manchester City’s fightback must begin tonight in front of the Etihad faithful.
City’s issues over the past seven games have been well-documented. It has been a shock to see Pep Guardiola’s side fail to pick up a win recently. Injuries, fatigue and a loss of form have all hit this Manchester City side all at once. That has contributed to City’s recent stumble. But based on the quality of City’s lineup and the fact that players are returning to full fitness, Manchester City’s fightback is coming. It’s just a matter of when. Tonight could be the perfect setting for the champions to respond. The critics have been enjoying City’s recent stumble and the only way to silence them is by picking up all three points tonight.
Manchester City’s fans will have a crucial role to play tonight. Their support has the potential to inspire the wounded world champions. This fact isn’t lost on Pep Guardiola. Speaking during his pre-game press conference yesterday he spoke of the importance of City’s home support yesterday. He said: “We need them. The situation is what it is, and we need them – always, they have been there. They know what the team has done in the last decade – many good moments we live together. They know that we absolutely need the support because all of us, especially the players, are human. Of course, they are willing to give everything to change the dynamic.”
Manchester City are only focused on beating Nottingham Forest.
Following Manchester City’s defeat to Liverpool on Sunday, the champions sit 11 points behind Arne Slot’s side, who sit top of the Premier League table. For now, the idea of City winning a fifth consecutive Premier League title seems a million miles away. All that matters to Pep Guardiola’s side is winning tonight’s match against Nottingham Forest.
That fact isn’t lost on Pep Guardiola. He said his team can’t afford to focus on their targets. They must focus on the task at hand rather than looking too far ahead. Guardiola told the media yesterday: “I said before that we can’t talk about results we had in the past or concentrate on the big targets, it will be a big mistake. We have to try to beat a team that is close to us, take advantage and close in on the top four, that is the target. After we will see what happens but we will try to win games that’s what we have to try to do. We are not far away from second but always is the way you play, the consistency you have in the boxes, and many things that give you positive thoughts, not what’s going to happen in the future.”
Manchester City’s fightback must begin tonight and that is the only task that matters right now.
There is no doubt that Manchester City’s fightback must begin sooner rather than later. The champions cannot afford to drop anymore points. They will eager to keep in touch with the top sides in the Premier League and the sooner they pick up a victory the sooner their confidence may return. That must start against Nottingham Forest.
In front of their loyal and passionate fans at the Etihad is the ideal setting for Manchester City’s fightback to begin. Nottingham Forest lie in wait for Pep Guardiola’s side but if they do pick up all three points they may start to the corner after their seven-game winless run.
