Bernardo Silva acknowledged Manchester City are "in a dark place right now" following their disappointing 4-1 defeat at Sporting CP.
Viktor Gyokeres' hat-trick inspired the Primeira Liga leaders to a commanding victory at Estadio Jose Alvalade, where Ruben Amorim was overseeing his final home game before taking over the reins at Manchester United on November 11.
Injury-hit City, who were without the likes of Rodri, Jack Grealish, Ruben Dias and John Stones, have now suffered three successive defeats in a season for the first time since April 2018.
Having been knocked out of the EFL Cup by Tottenham, the Citizens also saw their 32-match unbeaten run in the Premier League ended by a 2-1 loss at Bournemouth on Saturday.
And Silva knows he and his team-mates must address the slump quickly.
"At the beginning of the second half, we just gave them too many opportunities to be there and to score goals," the City winger said.
"[It's] disappointing because we're a bit in a dark place right now, and everything looks to be going the wrong way - even when we play well.
"Definitely, we need to look inside, check what we're not doing well and start being better very quickly. Otherwise, it will be difficult to come back from these losses.
"It's football, it's difficult to find reasons for what's happening right now to us.
"Obviously, we need to do better. Our injured players need to come back because we need them. It's just not good enough at the minute."
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola insists he is "not giving up" with the Spaniard relishing the opportunity to put things right.
"It is a tough challenge, but I am here," the head coach added. "It will be a tough season - we knew that from the start. But this is what it is. I like it, I love it, I want to face it and lift my players.
"I have to try and find an explanation. Sometimes, it is just football. We have to accept it. Life is that, sport is that. Sometimes, we have bad moments, but we face the reality.
"Everyone has to try to be better. We are still alive in all competitions, and we continue. I am not giving up."
‘It would mean everything’: T&T’s Kaile Auvray and Cavalier FC hungry for Caribbean Cup glory
Cavalier FC midfielder Kaile Auvray is fully aware of the significance of the 2024 Concacaf Caribbean Cup Final for both himself and his Jamaican club.
As Cavalier prepare for Tuesday’s decisive second leg against Cibao FC in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, Auvray is embracing the magnitude of the moment and the opportunity to etch his team’s name in the annals of Caribbean football history.
“Being part of such an exciting match, such as the Caribbean Cup final, it's really an honor,” said the Trinidad and Tobago native, who has been a pivotal figure for Cavalier throughout the competition.
“I think this title would mean everything, honestly. I know that last year we came close to winning it, so this year, [we] just want to go one step further and bring it home,” he added.
The two clubs were evenly matched in the opening leg in Kingston, Jamaica, where Cavalier claimed a narrow 1-0 victory. Shaquille Stein’s decisive strike extended his tournament-leading tally to eight goals, setting the stage for a tantalizing conclusion at Cibao FC Stadium.
Auvray has played an instrumental role in Cavalier’s road to the final, notably contributing in the semifinals with a multi-goal performance alongside Stein. His creativity and attacking instincts will be critical as Cavalier aim to protect their slender advantage and secure the club’s first Concacaf Caribbean Cup title.
Despite the first-leg setback, Cibao FC remains confident in its ability to overturn the deficit in front of its passionate home crowd.
The Dominican club had been unbeaten in the competition until the loss in Kingston and will look to its leading scorer, Rivaldo Correa, to inspire a comeback.
Correa, who has netted five goals in the tournament, led Cibao’s charge in the first leg with seven shots on goal. His determination to deliver for the home fans was evident in his pre-match comments.
“We are going to give our all. The team's spirit is that we are very focused, that we are going to turn it around, that we are going to do things in the best way. We are going to be very concentrated to turn this match around and take us to the championship.”
With the aggregate winner set to be crowned 2024 champions, every moment of the second leg promises to be high-stakes.
Should Cibao win 1-0, the match would proceed to extra time and potentially penalties to determine the victor. Away goals serve as the first tiebreaker, adding another layer of intrigue to the contest.
For Auvray and Cavalier, this is a chance to solidify the club’s place among the Caribbean elite and bring a sense of pride to their supporters.
“This is about going one step further. We’re ready to give it everything we’ve got,” Auvray emphasized.
Real Mallorca 1-5 Barcelona: In-form Raphinha nets two as leaders run riot
Barcelona captain Raphinha scored twice as they won in LaLiga for the first time in a month, crushing Real Mallorca 5-1 at the Estadi Son Moix.
Hansi Flick's league leaders – who were without a victory in three matches in the competition – netted four times in a dominant second-half performance as they extended their advantage over Real Madrid to four points.
A comical mix-up between Martin Valjent and Johan Majica allowed Ferran Torres to give Barca a 12th-minute lead, though the hosts levelled when Vedat Muriqi tapped home to cap a lightning counterattack on the stroke of half-time.
However, that equaliser only served to anger Barca and they pulled clear after the interval.
Raphinha restored their lead from the penalty spot in the 56th minute after the excellent Lamine Yamal was fouled, with the teenager then curling in a wonderful 74th-minute cross to tee up his captain's second goal.
Substitutes Frenkie de Jong and Pau Victor added to the goalfest with late strikes from inside the box to wrap up an easy win for the Blaugrana, who have played two games more than second-placed Madrid.
Data Debrief: Raphinha into double figures as Barca cruise
In Robert Lewandowski (15) and Raphinha (10), Barcelona are the only team to have two players in double figures for goals in one of Europe's top five leagues this season.
Things could hardly have been more comfortable for the Blaugrana, who created a huge total of 4.93 expected goals (xG), the highest figure by any team in a single match in LaLiga this campaign.
'I'm still trying to crack the code' - Dyche working 'tirelessly' to address Everton form
Sean Dyche says he is working "tirelessly" to "crack the code" as he aims to turn Everton's fortunes around.
The Toffees sit just two points above the Premier League relegation zone, having only won two matches this season and gone five without victory.
Everton have also failed to score in their four most recent outings, and will be desperate to put things right against fellow strugglers Wolves on Wednesday.
And Dyche, whose contract expires at the end of this term, says he is working harder than he ever has before during his 13-year managerial career to get his side back on track.
"Sometimes me, my staff and the players haven't delivered as well as we could do," he said.
"But we work tirelessly. This is the most work I've done in all my years in management, at this club, without a shadow of a doubt.
"I'm more than ready for the challenge. It could be easier because, for sure, I've made errors this season, the team has made errors, they are there for all to see.
"It's a fact of life as a manager, you have to get the margins right, and we haven't done so far this season. You've got to win games, and we haven't won enough games.
"We've got ourselves in a position where we feel we should be doing better - myself included - and now it is about taking on the challenge. I'm still trying to crack the code, as others have done before me."
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