As European soccer heads into its final international break of 2024, teams are dealing with a range of challenges and talking points. From Manchester City’s rare losing streak under Pep Guardiola to Real Madrid’s defensive crisis, and Roma’s managerial carousel, here’s a look at the top stories shaping the soccer landscape.

Manchester City’s Uncharacteristic Slump

In a historic low for Pep Guardiola, Manchester City has lost four consecutive games across all competitions—a first in his nearly 16-year coaching career. While the losses against teams like Bournemouth and Brighton exposed City’s defensive vulnerabilities, Guardiola is also facing lineup struggles. Injuries to key players, including Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne, and Jack Grealish, have stretched the squad thin, especially as Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva have been heavily relied on to shoulder the burden.

Beyond individual performances, City’s defense, with its four-center-back formation, has allowed 17 goals in the first 15 games of the season, compared to just 11 at the same point last year. The lack of a reliable replacement for midfielder Rodri during his absences has further destabilized City’s structure. As they prepare for crucial matchups against Tottenham and Liverpool after the break, Guardiola hopes to reset the season and recapture the team’s winning form.

Real Madrid Wins, but Éder Militão’s Injury Casts a Shadow

Real Madrid bounced back with a commanding 4-0 win over Osasuna, led by goals from Vinícius Jr. and Jude Bellingham. However, the victory was bittersweet as it coincided with a major setback—defender Éder Militão suffered a serious ACL injury just seven months after recovering from a previous one. Madrid’s backline was stretched thin, with Carlo Ancelotti fielding makeshift defenders like Fede Valverde and Raúl Asencio due to injuries to key players, including Dani Carvajal and David Alaba.

Madrid will likely need to enter the January transfer market for defensive reinforcements, as relying solely on Rüdiger and an inconsistent Alaba could put the team’s La Liga and Champions League campaigns at risk.

Roma’s Managerial Turmoil Continues

Roma’s chaotic season took another twist as the club sacked Ivan Juric after a brief 53-day stint, marking their third managerial change in 2024. This rapid turnover—from Jose Mourinho to Daniele De Rossi and then Juric—reflects a lack of clear direction. Potential replacements range from Roberto Mancini to Claudio Ranieri, but the absence of a CEO and a respected director of football has left the club’s future uncertain. Fans are increasingly frustrated with the frequent changes, which prevent the team from establishing any continuity or identity on the pitch.

Elsewhere in Europe

Bayern Munich secured a 1-0 victory over St. Pauli with a standout performance from Jamal Musiala, while **Liverpool** continued their resurgence under Arne Slot with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa. Borussia Dortmund, meanwhile, suffered a disappointing loss to Mainz due to defensive issues and ineffective attacking.

Juventus enjoyed a steady 2-0 derby win over Torino, thanks to the influential play of newcomer Teun Koopmeiners, and **Bayer Leverkusen’s** Xabi Alonso faces a true test of his coaching resilience after a difficult 1-1 draw against Bochum, following a heavy loss to Liverpool in midweek.

Final Thoughts

As teams regroup during the international break, the upcoming weeks promise high-stakes clashes and plenty of chances for teams like Manchester City and Real Madrid to reset their seasons. Meanwhile, clubs like Roma will need to find stability if they hope to end 2024 on a positive note.