Jack Grealish calls out ‘weird’ Man City performance in honest interview as club on brink of Champions League

Jack Grealish’s candid assessment of Manchester City’s performance in their Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, has sparked significant conversation about the club’s current struggles and the team’s inability to maintain leads. His reflection came after Manchester City, under the guidance of manager Pep Guardiola, threw away a two-goal lead against PSG in a match that left them on the brink of elimination from the competition.

Manchester City had dominated much of the game, taking a 1-0 lead in the second half after Grealish was substituted in. He then played a vital role in their second goal, which was assisted by a deflected pass from Joao Neves to Erling Haaland, who scored effortlessly. At that point, it appeared as though City was in control, poised for a valuable victory away from home. However, the game quickly turned on its head.

Just a few minutes after City’s second goal, PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé pulled one back, shifting the momentum in favor of the home team. Not long after, Bradley Barcola scored to level the match. The game continued to spiral out of City’s control, and, in the 78th minute, Joao Neves put PSG ahead 3-2. It seemed as though City’s chances of advancing were slipping away. In the dying moments of the game, Gonçalo Ramos added a fourth goal for PSG after an initial offside ruling was overturned by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). The final scoreline left Manchester City reeling and on the edge of an early Champions League exit.

For Jack Grealish, who had been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise difficult match, the frustration was palpable. His post-match comments, delivered in an honest interview with TNT Sports, highlighted the team’s current inability to manage matches effectively and control their leads. Grealish, visibly disappointed by the outcome, noted that City had struggled to maintain their advantage in several matches this season, and this pattern was starting to become a worrying trend. He referred to the game as “weird,” noting that, historically, Manchester City had been incredibly strong in moments when they were in the lead, particularly when they were 1-2 goals ahead. The fact that this kind of slip-up had occurred multiple times this season raised questions about the team’s mentality and confidence.

“I don’t know if it’s a confidence thing,” Grealish admitted, reflecting on City’s apparent inability to close out games this season. “For most of this season, we’ve not been at the levels we know we can be.” His frustration was evident as he explained that the team had the quality needed to control such situations, yet they had repeatedly failed to do so. “It’s weird because in every other season, we’ve been so good in those moments, managing the game,” he continued. His words spoke volumes about the gap between City’s current form and the high standards they had set in previous years. The sense of disappointment was clear, as the once-dominant force in European football seemed to be struggling with issues that had never plagued them before.

Grealish’s honesty about the performance reflects the pressure the team is under. Manchester City, one of the most powerful teams in Europe, are now facing the very real possibility of being eliminated from the Champions League earlier than expected. For a club with such high ambitions and a squad filled with some of the world’s best players, the possibility of early elimination would be a huge disappointment and a major setback for the season.

As Grealish rightly pointed out, it was not just about the team’s performance but also the overall attitude and confidence in managing critical moments. With players like Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, Haaland, and Grealish himself on the pitch, Manchester City should have been able to see out the game and secure a vital away win. However, their failure to manage the game effectively was glaring. This issue, according to Grealish, has become a common theme throughout this season, and it is something the team must urgently address if they are to salvage their Champions League hopes.

The fact that Grealish highlighted confidence as a potential issue is particularly intriguing. Confidence plays a vital role in top-level football, and when players begin to doubt themselves or their ability to see out games, it can have a significant impact on performance. This season, Manchester City has shown flashes of brilliance, but there has been an undercurrent of inconsistency that has plagued their form. In previous seasons, City’s ability to control games when they were ahead was one of the hallmarks of their success, and this has not been the case so far this season. Grealish’s comments reflect this frustration, and it is clear that he believes the team is capable of performing at a much higher level, provided they regain their confidence and composure.

Grealish’s acknowledgment that PSG’s performance was top-notch and deserving of victory also shows his sportsmanship and recognition of the opposition’s strength. PSG, with their star-studded lineup and relentless energy, were always going to be a tough challenge for City. The fact that PSG were able to turn the game around in such a dramatic fashion speaks volumes about their quality and resolve. Grealish did not shy away from praising the French side, recognizing their impressive play and the way they kept up the pressure on City throughout the match. “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,” he said.

While Grealish’s comments were reflective and insightful, they also underscore the reality of the situation: Manchester City must now regroup and focus on their next match. With the club now sitting outside the Champions League play-off places in 25th position, the pressure is on for Guardiola’s side to turn things around. Next week, they will face Belgian side Club Brugge in a crucial final match of the group phase. For City, the stakes could not be higher. A win is necessary to keep their Champions League hopes alive, while a loss or draw would result in elimination from the competition. This makes the upcoming match a must-win scenario for Manchester City, and they will need to put in a far more composed and disciplined performance than they showed against PSG.

The potential elimination from the Champions League at this stage would be a major blow to Manchester City’s aspirations this season. The club, who have invested heavily in their squad and boast one of the most talented rosters in world football, have set their sights on winning Europe’s premier club competition. Guardiola, having already won the Champions League with Barcelona, will be determined to lead City to their first-ever victory in the competition. However, for that to happen, they must find a way to manage their leads more effectively and avoid the costly mistakes that have become too frequent this season.

In the aftermath of the PSG defeat, the pressure on Guardiola and his players will undoubtedly intensify. The Spanish manager is known for his tactical acumen, but even the best managers can face challenges when their players are not performing at the required level. Guardiola will be hoping that his squad can bounce back quickly, regain their composure, and deliver the kind of performance that will see them through to the knockout rounds.

Ultimately, Grealish’s comments provide a window into the current mindset at Manchester City. While the frustration and disappointment are clear, there is also a sense of determination to turn things around. Grealish, in particular, seems ready to take responsibility and help the team get back on track. His honest assessment of the situation and his desire to improve moving forward suggest that Manchester City still have the quality and mentality needed to succeed, but they must act quickly to avoid an early exit from the Champions League. The coming weeks will be crucial for Guardiola’s side, and how they respond to this setback will determine whether their season takes a positive or negative turn.