Despite a challenging season for Manchester City, Pep Guardiola’s squad took a break from the pressures of the pitch to enjoy the club’s annual Christmas party. While their 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday left City sitting sixth in the Premier League—nine points behind leaders Liverpool, who have two games in hand—the team didn’t let their tough form dampen their festive spirit.
The reigning champions, currently on a difficult streak with just one win in their last 12 matches, still celebrated the season together. Star players Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, and Ilkay Gundogan were among those in attendance, enjoying the occasion alongside their partners.
Photos shared on Instagram captured the festive mood, with Gundogan and his wife Sara stepping into the photo booth alongside Silva and his wife Ines Degener Tomaz. The black-and-white snapshots radiated camaraderie and joy, offering a moment of levity amid a demanding campaign.
Ilkay Gundogan (top left) and Bernardo Silva were seen enjoying themselves with their partners Sara Gundogan (bottom right) and Ines Degener Tomaz
Midfieldr Kevin De Bruyne cosied up to his wife Michele Lacroix at the festive event
Kevin De Bruyne shared a sweet moment with his wife, Michele Lacroix, during Manchester City’s Christmas party, capturing a romantic photo despite the club’s current struggles. The festive atmosphere brought smiles to the faces of the players and their partners, as they looked to recharge for the second half of the season.
City’s upcoming fixtures include hosting Everton on Boxing Day and an away clash against Leicester on December 29, both seen as crucial opportunities to turn their fortunes around. Manager Pep Guardiola remains determined to guide his team out of their challenging phase, emphasizing the collective responsibility for the team’s performance.
Guardiola has continued to defend striker Erling Haaland, who has faced criticism after failing to score in five of his last six matches. Following their loss to Aston Villa—City’s ninth defeat in 12 games—Haaland admitted to TNT Sports, “First, I’m looking at myself. I haven’t been scoring my chances. I have to do better; I haven’t been good enough.”
The team and their fans will be hoping for a resurgence as the season progresses, with Guardiola’s leadership and the players’ resilience at the forefront of their comeback bid.
Gundogan and his wife Sara announced they are expecting their second child in September
The Premier League champions are in the midst of their worst run of form in many years
Pep Guardiola has come to the defense of Erling Haaland amid Manchester City’s challenging season, emphasizing the striker’s vital role and the collective responsibility of the team. Haaland, who has scored an impressive 108 goals since joining the club in 2022, has faced recent criticism for a dip in form, failing to score in five of his last six matches.
Speaking at a Christmas Eve press conference ahead of City’s Boxing Day clash with Everton, Guardiola dismissed the notion that Haaland’s performance is the sole issue. “It’s about us, not just one player,” he said. “When in the past we scored goals and Erling was so prolific, helping us, it was because of the team.”
Guardiola acknowledged the need for improvement across the board, explaining, “When you have problems at the back, in the middle, it is for everyone. It is a team; it is not about one player. It would be easy if it was just one player, but it’s not about that.”
The City boss highlighted Haaland’s significance, saying, “Erling is so important for us, will be so important for us, has been. We have to try to do things better, to use him better.” Guardiola also pointed out the importance of delivering the right passes to Haaland in optimal positions to maximize his impact.
As City prepare for a crucial match against Everton, Guardiola’s focus on teamwork and trust in Haaland underscores his commitment to turning the season around.