Pep Guardiola says Man City have been handed brutal reality check in EPL
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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said that his side's recent poor run will be a good challenge for both him and his players.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Pep Guardiola says Manchester City’s recent English Premier League slump has delivered a much-needed reality check as he prepares for their match at lowly Luton Town on Dec 10.
The City boss said he and his treble-winning players had enjoyed being stroked “like a cat” for too long during their period of domination and that they “needed a shake”.
The team were outplayed at Aston Villa in their 1-0 loss
“As a manager I sometimes need that, I need that challenge,” Guardiola said.
“I think for everyone it is good. I think it’s necessary to live that. For a long time, we’ve lived like a cat (strokes head) and (known) how good we are.
“We need it to say this is terrible. You are unbeatable and then, oh my god, you cannot win one game.
“I need that challenge to prove myself, that I’m a good manager, to help the players overcome that situation. For the players, it’s a good challenge to say ‘Aston Villa were miles better than all of us, so imagine the other ones’.”
Guardiola, whose team won the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup last season, also admitted City could miss out on qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
“We have to work hard,” he added. “As soon as we realise (it) we come out of here quicker.
“One month ago I thought the club needed a shake, to be shaken. The bad results can help you to live that.”
City will have the perfect opportunity to return to winning ways when they take on Premier League newcomers Luton, who are in the relegation zone having won just two games all season.
Luton boss Rob Edwards had described City as the “best team in the world”.
But Guardiola is aware Kenilworth Road is no easy task, after Liverpool were held to a draw while Arsenal needed an injury-time winner to win.
“They’re doing really, really well for the way they played. Top clubs and teams like Arsenal and Liverpool have struggled to win, it will be the same for us,” he said.
“Thank you for the words (from Edwards). It’s a football game and, in this moment, we are not the best team in the world as we are not getting results.”
City will have influential midfielder Rodri back after he completed his latest ban. The Spaniard has now missed four games through suspension this season and the team have lost them all.
Guardiola again overlooked Kalvin Phillips when selecting his side at Villa Park, fuelling further speculation the England midfielder could leave the club in January.
Phillips has failed to establish himself at the Etihad Stadium since his move from Leeds United in 2022.
“I don’t know what will happen. I feel so sorry for my decisions for him. He doesn’t deserve for one second not to have minutes, but it’s just that I visualise things and struggle a little to see him,” Guardiola said.
Kevin de Bruyne, who has been out since undergoing hamstring surgery in August, has been named in City’s squad for the Club World Cup later in December but it is not yet clear if he will be fit to play.
“Maybe it is a little bit early, but I don’t know,” Guardiola added.
Edwards, meanwhile, continued his praise for City.
“I’m excited that we’re playing them, I think the whole football club should be as well,” he said.
“Look what they’ve done in recent years – they’re a winning machine. We’re expecting the best and that’s what we’re preparing for. Their recent run of not winning doesn’t make a difference to us.” AFP, REUTERS
