Pep Guardiola acknowledges “struggling” Manchester City’s stunning drop in the Premier League title chase has left him looking for answers to the champions’ difficulties.
Guardiola’s team were defeated 1-0 at Aston Villa on Wednesday, extending their league losing streak to four games.
City sits in fourth place, six points behind champions Arsenal and four points behind second-placed Liverpool.
After consecutive draws with Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham raised concerns about City’s title chances, Guardiola declared this week that his club will undoubtedly win the Premier League.
But the Spaniard altered his tune when Villa stunned the treble winners with the kind of explosive performance that has become City’s trademark throughout Guardiola’s rule.
“It is my duty, it is my responsibility to find a way to return.” “We’ve been together for a long time and we’ve found a way to win games,” Guardiola remarked.
“We know where we stand, and as a manager, we must find a way to win.” We’re having some difficulties. I’m here to assist them.
“We didn’t feel like we were going to do anything, and we missed it.” When a team improves, we must acknowledge and recognise it.”
City’s mini-crisis has thrown the title race wide open, and Guardiola’s admission that there are difficulties to be resolved will give their competitors even more confidence.
So, what can Guardiola do to resurrect City?
One of the keys to their campaign for an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League title is the Spaniard’s ability to encourage his players after such recent success.
Guardiola has admitted that the stunning treble success may have left them with a hangover, as their performances have varied between exceptional and unpredictable this season.
Fixing that problem is critical because Arsenal and Liverpool, who have both played with fire and enthusiasm this season, appear to be difficult opponents.
– ‘The results are not favourable.’ –
City appeared tired for much of Wednesday’s humbling journey to Villa Park, a situation worsened by Guardiola’s penchant for a small team.
But there will be little rest for his tired players, as the FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia awaits them before the rigorous Christmas schedule.
Guardiola must address tactical concerns as well as strive to restore his players’ emotional and physical wellbeing.
City have gone four Premier League games without a win for the first time since 2017, and their uncharacteristically shaky defence has been a big contributor in that slump.
City have conceded 17 goals in their opening 15 Premier League matches for the first time since 2009-10, with Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol struggling to adjust after joining from RB Leipzig and John Stones out due to injury before returning to Villa Park.
They faced 22 shots against Villa, highlighting their defensive deficiencies, while the absence of the suspended Rodri in midfield added to Guardiola’s headaches.
City have lost all four games Rodri has missed this season, after staying unbeaten in their last 43 with him in the lineup.
“We couldn’t beat Liverpool or Tottenham without Rodri.” Of course, Rodri is crucial, but when he is unavailable, we must find another approach,” Guardiola explained.
City is also lacking the creative spark that injured Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne provided.
They only took two shots against Villa, the fewest by a Guardiola team in a league game in his managerial history.
“I said (to the players) ‘I know you tried, I know you want it, you have proven it to me many times’,” Guardiola told reporters.
“The results are not good right now, which is why I need to watch the games, reflect, and see how we try to do it.”
“We have to change the dynamic on Sunday at Luton.”
In recent years, writing off City has been a stupid decision, but Guardiola has little room for mistake if they are to continue their reign as the Premier League’s dominant power.