The City boss was sporting a nasty cut on his nose as he arrived at the Etihad Stadium and ended the game in even more pain after his side threw away a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3. It means his side have failed to win their last six games, the first time this has happened since their debut season in the Premier League eight years ago.
“I cut myself with my finger“Guardiola said at a press conference. He then appeared to joke: “ I want to hurt myself.”
“I want to hurt myself”
City looked headed for a first win in six games when two goals from Erling Haaland and one from Ilkay Gundogan gave them a 3-0 lead early in the second half, but horrendous defending saw them concede three goals in the last 15 minutes. Josko Gvardiol made two crucial errors after his nightmare performance against Tottenham, but Guardiola came to the Croatian’s defence. “He’s so young. He will learn. I would be so wrong if I pointed the finger at him, he is a fantastic boy. Now, more than ever, he needs help“, said the coach.
It was the first time since May 1989 that City had failed to win a match after taking a three-goal lead. Guardiola, who made three substitutions midway through the second half, admitted he had not seen Feyenoord’s comeback coming. He said: “The match was never over, but at 3-0 I saw no danger.”
The champions must recover from their poor run ahead of Sunday’s trip to Premier League leaders Liverpool. If City lose at Anfield, where they have not won since 2003 (apart from the pandemic-affected 2020-21 season), they will be 11 points behind the Reds, a gap Guardiola has admitted is insurmountable.
