City were rocked by local rivals United in last season’s FA Cup final, as the Red Devils took a two-goal lead before half-time thanks to goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo . The reigning champions were able to reduce the gap to one goal with a few minutes to go, but Guardiola’s side failed to get back into the match at that point.
It was suggested that City’s players did not have their heads in the game during their disappointing defeat, as Guardiola’s side had just won an intense Premier League title fight against Arsenal five days earlier. Following City’s 2-1 defeat to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, the Spanish manager has now confirmed suspicions that his players struggled in last season’s final at Wembley.
Guardiola justifies himself
Speaking to the media after his side’s first defeat since that day at Wembley, Guardiola said: “It’s not that we’re losing, but how much time has passed since we lost. Of course, with the FA Cup final we were a bit hungover, but it’s good news.
At the time of the defeat, Guardiola said:
“It’s my mistake, the game plan was not good. The players know it, that’s why. Tactically it was not good. I had the feeling that today was not good. You plan a play for different positions, but it didn’t work, it’s as simple as that.”
The Premier League leaders will now be in action when they take on Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday as they look to maintain their leads over Liverpool and Arsenal.
