Pep Guardiola faces an uncertain, unknown universe. For the first time since he took the bench in 2007, he has had four consecutive defeats.
They were eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Tottenham (2-1), lost to Bournemouth (2-1) in the Premier, received a rout from Sporting CP (4-1) in the Champions League and have fallen again in the League, this time against Brighton (2-1).
There is a crisis at the Etihad. If Liverpool win, they would be five points ahead of the ‘sky blues’. However, Guardiola, true to his style, prefers to take it philosophically. Even with a point of retraction.
“Welcome! There is always a first time in life,” said the former Barcelona and Bayern player, referring to the first time he has tied a streak of four defeats on the bench.
Although his contract ends in 2025 and has not yet renewed, Guardiola vindicated, once again, his commitment: “I am not going to take a step back, more than ever I want to do so. This is my challenge and I love challenges.”
I’m not going to take a step back, more than ever I want to. This is my challenge and I love challenges
Pep Guardiola
“I don’t know what has to change after the national team break, but we will be better just for the fact that we will have players to play,” insisted Pep, who emphasized the losses they are carrying.
”We have to reset our heads during the break and the players will come back in shape. We will have to play every three days. In recent years we have won a lot, but we have not had so many injuries,” he added.
We have to reset our heads during the break and the players will return in shape
Pep Guardiola
What’s more, he took away the ‘weight’ of the defeat against Brighton: “The boys played very, very well today, so I have nothing to regret. They were magnificent in many things. Brighton were very good with the ball and with a lot of pace up front. In the first half we were brilliant, but in the second we were tired, fatigue appeared and they were able to make changes that we couldn’t.”
The boys played very, very well today, so I have nothing to regret. They were magnificent in many things
Pep Guardiola
Rodri’s absence
The ‘Rodridependencia’ is more than evident and, Guardiola, with or without meaning to, made reference to the absence of the Spaniard to defend the performance of Jahmai Simpson-Pusey. “He played really well. It’s not easy for him. Young players usually arrive with the support of Rodri. He played incredible. We have a center back to help us in the future.”
‘Pique’ with Van Hecke: “If Haaland stands up to you, stay standing.”
Finally, the Spaniard also referred to the final clash between Haaland and Van Hecke, spoiling the behavior of the Brighton centre-back, with whom he had an exchange of words after the game.
“He was strong with Erling and I told him: ‘When Erling confronts you, stay standing, don’t throw yourself on the grass’. But he played a very good game…”, said the Spaniard.
