The matches follow one another and are similar for Manchester City. Beaten on the pitch of Aston Villa (2-1) this Saturday during this 17th day, the reigning champion recorded his 9th defeat in his last 12 matches in all competitions. In this incredible series, which Pep Guardiola had never experienced since the start of his coaching career, his team conceded 27 goals. At best, the Skyblues will be 6th in the Premier League at the end of this weekend. Liverpool haven’t played yet but they are already 9 points behind. This new defeat is worrying but even more so the way in which, after a minute of play, the Villans had already created two big goal situations.
“We had a very good first halfyet defends Pep Guardiola on TNT Sportsrefusing to look at the unrecognizable face of his team. We slowed down in the second half. We changed our pressing because John (Stones) could not continue (injured, editor’s note).» City was however shaken in all directions, dominated in the midfield by Tielemans, Kamara and Onana, crushed in the duels by the dragsters Rogers and McGinn. “In midfield, they are very strong. We had good chances, we had more chances than in the match against Manchester United, but in the second half we slowed down and our pressing was not good enough.»
Haaland: “I have to do better, I wasn’t good enough. Guardiola will find the solution»
Guardiola looked like he was having bad days but he also did not want to overwhelm his players, some of whom were guilty of big individual errors. “We had a bit of trouble and we weren’t able to press them well. We scored a goal at the end (Foden, 90th + 3), but it was too late. We struggled to score and we conceded goals. We have great personalities in the team and, sooner or later, we will find them again» reassures the Catalan. The performances of Stones, Gvardiol, Grealish, heckled for his return to Villa Park, and even Haaland still raise questions as they have dominated their subject in recent months. The Norwegian striker also admits to having completely missed the point.
“We are disappointed, it is not enough and it is not enough on my part. It’s difficult to come here but we are Manchester City and we have to fight on the pitch. We must continue to work hard and believe in it», sends the Norwegian, also questioned about TNT Sports at the final whistle. “I look at myself in the mirror first. I didn’t do things well enough, I didn’t manage to create chances. I have to do better, I wasn’t good enough. Guardiola will find the solution, we believe in himhe continues. We know how important confidence is and you can see it affects all players. That’s how it is, you have to continue and stay positive even in the face of difficulty.»The next meeting against Everton next Thursday will be decisive.
