We always expect Pep Guardiola’s reaction to be insightful and full of passion, and he did not disappoint after Manchester City’s shocking collapse late on as they lost 2-1 at Brighton on Sunday.
City have now lost two of their opening three games of the season and all is not well.
Guardiola has high standards and this new-look Man City side are a real work in progress, as they led at Brighton but couldn’t get control of the game in the second half.
Below is the latest Pep Guardiola reaction after Manchester City’s defeat at Brighton.
Pep Guardiola reaction
Thoughts on the performance and result and if the momentum shifted: “You are right. We concede the goal and after it shifted. Until then it was really, really good. We had chances and against a team that is so dynamic and aggressive. We make a really good hour and in the last half an hour we were not good. We forgot to pass the ball, to play. Just long balls. With that we are not good enough. It is what it is.”
On if Haaland had chances to finish the game off in the first half: “Yeah, but that is the way we play. To create chances. Not just him, but the other ones. Of course Erling is always a threat but in general we make a really, really good hour. But after we conceded the goal it was a bit like Tottenham, like we are really good but we concede a goal and then we are not. You have to continue to do, we still have time, it can happen, it is not impossible in the Premier League to concede on transitions and this kind of thing.”
On if the four subs Brighton made changed the momentum and atmosphere: “The change was the goal. Of course everyone makes the substitutions better and of course they did it well. But what made the difference was the goal.”
On the penalty against Matheus Nunes: “I didn’t see it but nobody complained. So that is why it should be a penalty.”
On Rodri’s comments about the level not being where it needs to be: “We have a really good squad and of course we change many, many things from the past now. But it is normal. We need the new players to adapt and the older ones are going to help them to cope.”
On Rodri saying he can’t shoulder all the responsibility and it has to be collective: “These are fantastic players. Rodri played a really good performance and character he is top. I am happy he could play 90 minutes. Hopefully he can handle his minutes with the national team and then we start again the season.”
On lots of new players and integrating them, and if you can put a timescale on them: “I had the same feeling. I like many things we are doing but we are not able to win games. After we come back we will know the real squad we have. We are going to try to compete.”
Rodri’s reaction
Thoughts on the game: “Disappointing. We are Man City and we come here to win. But this is our reality. We are not in the level from a long, long time. The only way to come back is to look at ourselves. That is the reality. I think we started well but the second half we dropped a little bit and here at home they pressure and two big mistakes from us and 2-1. Not much,” Rodri said.
What does he mean by not being at the level: “We are missing the level. Call it how you want. It is a matter of the team, changes, of course new players have to adapt, when you change the team that much it is difficult. This is our reality. It is not for excuses. We have to look to ourselves and see that this is not the way to achieve things. We got to the international break, clear the mind and come back stronger.”
Other opportunities in the first half to finish the game: “I do think we had control of the game. We weren’t at our best to be honest. We didn’t create much. I think it is many aspects. It’s not about today I think we should win because of course the goals came from two big mistakes and two counter attacks. Some of the mistakes we are doing is like kids’ mistakes. We know exactly what they are doing. But this is football. It is easy when you lose to point at everyone. We are the same when we win and lose. But the reality is we have to rise the level if we want to compete for this.”
On if it’s going to take more than him, the best player on the world, to get City back to where they want to be: “I am not Messi. I am not going to come back and make the team win and win. This is a collective. When I win in the past I need all my teammates and for sure I have to recover my best level. It is not because I come back we are going to win. It is all of us. It is a collective sport. Hopefully after the break we are going to do much better.”
On if people shouldn’t read too much into back-to-back defeats early in the season: “To be honest I don’t care. The people can think whatever they want. We focus on us. Work as much as possible. Then let’s talk at the end of the season.”
