Manchester City has been dealing with a string of injuries, with six senior players missing in their recent 2-1 defeat to Brighton—including key figures like John Stones, Jeremy Doku, Ruben Dias, and Jack Grealish. Additionally, long-term absentees Rodri and Oscar Bobb were also sidelined.
Pep Guardiola is optimistic, however, that the international break will give his squad time to recover and return stronger, setting up a potential comeback for his team. He’s fully prepared to tackle the challenge of guiding his champions back to form and welcomes it with determination.
“I will reflect in these ten days, clear our heads, players come back fit, this is the target,” Guardiola stated. “When the players come back, I’d like to play at the level of the first half.”
Guardiola highlighted the positives, especially from the match’s early stages: “Today was a really good first half. Seventy minutes was really good. I know how we are playing… The level we’re playing is really good in certain moments, but we are not able to continue for a long time.”
With the squad regaining strength, Guardiola believes City will regain their edge. “I’m sure when the players come back, they can bring some individual qualities to the team, and we’ll be back,” he affirmed. “We lost two games in the Premier League. Of course, we have to change and get back to winning. When the players return, I have no doubts we’ll be back to the best.”
He emphasized his readiness for the road ahead, saying, “This is my challenge; I love a challenge. I won’t step back. More than ever, I want to do it. We will try again.”
Guardiola acknowledged City’s four-game losing streak but stressed the importance of analyzing the team’s actual performance. “Bournemouth deserve it, but the games were really good… Spurs, the young lads. There were many positive things in Lisbon and today, but we lost,” he observed.
He concluded, “It may seem like excuses, but this is what I feel. When we play badly, I’m the first to say. I don’t have that feeling.”
