After his Manchester City team surrendered and blew a 3-0 lead against Feyenoord, making it six games without a win in all competitions, Pep Guardiola quipped that he wanted to hurt himself.
During his post-match press conference, Guardiola was asked about a large cut on his nose and several red stains on his head. He responded, “Yes, it’s from my nail on my finger.” “During the game, I cut myself with my fingernail.” I’d like to harm myself.
After Feyenoord stunned City with three goals in 14 minutes of the second half, the manager lamented his team’s lack of success.
“We can’t win games,” Guardiola said. “Over the years, as a team, we always find a way.” Nothing occurs at the moment in another circumstance.
After ending their five-game losing streak, City will enter Sunday’s match at Anfield against Premier League leaders Liverpool without a victory in more than a month.
When asked what he said to his players, Guardiola responded, “It was not necessary to say anything to them – they know it perfectly.”
‘Three episodes and they (Feyenoord) didn’t allow us to win. It is what it is and so difficult to swallow. It will be a tough season for us and we have to accept it. We have to lift them (for Anfield). I have to lift my players. It is my job.’
With City three goals up, Guardiola made a triple change in the 69th minute bringing on Kevin De Bruyne, James McAtee and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and the Spaniard admitted that he thought the game was over.
‘Nathan (Ake) came off with 20 minutes left and I didn’t have the feeling of a game in danger. Nathan has been injured many times. We didn’t want to expose him for 90 minutes. Ilkay (Gundogan) is the only fit holding midfielder we have and Phil (Foden) plays a lot of minutes,’ Guardiola said. ‘I did it for Kevin (De Bruyne) to get rhythm in the best way and Macca (McAtee) and Jahmai (Simpson-Pusey) are always so stable. In the moment, it was completely fine.’
I didn’t feel like the game was in jeopardy when Nathan (Ake) was substituted out with 20 minutes remaining. Nathan has sustained numerous injuries. For ninety minutes, we didn’t want to expose him. Phil (Foden) plays a lot of minutes, and Ilkay (Gundogan) is the only fit holding midfielder we have,” Guardiola remarked. Since Macca (McAtee) and Jahmai (Simpson-Pusey) are consistently so steady, I did it to help Kevin (De Bruyne) develop rhythm in the greatest way possible. For the moment, it was all right.
When asked why a portion of City fans jeered during full time, Guardiola maintained he understood.
‘They are disappointed. Of course we understand it. They come here not to remember the success in the past, but to see the team win,’ he said.
I didn’t feel like the game was in jeopardy when Nathan (Ake) was substituted out with 20 minutes remaining. Nathan has sustained numerous injuries. For ninety minutes, we didn’t want to expose him. Phil (Foden) plays a lot of minutes, and Ilkay (Gundogan) is the only fit holding midfielder we have,” Guardiola remarked. Since Macca (McAtee) and Jahmai (Simpson-Pusey) are consistently so steady, I did it to help Kevin (De Bruyne) develop rhythm in the greatest way possible. For the moment, it was all right.
When asked why a portion of City fans jeered during full time, Guardiola maintained he understood.
“It was an incredible game and an incredible evening against the best team in the world, in my opinion,” Priske remarked. “Even if they were ahead 3-0, it is clear that they are currently having difficulties in the elements.
They revealed three crucial occasions, which we took advantage of in the end. Our boys’ effort and mindset were outstanding. When my boys scored 3-2, we thought there could be something going on tonight, but after 3-1, I was certain they were prepared for this.
