Pep Guardiola Defends Manchester City’s Performance Against Wolves: “We Played Really Good!”
After Manchester City snatched a dramatic win against Wolves, manager Pep Guardiola took a firm stand against suggestions that his team was off their game. John Stones secured the victory with a last-gasp goal, but the match was far from straightforward for the Blues.
City fell behind early but quickly leveled the score thanks to Josko Gvardiol. Despite a frustrating second half, where it seemed the team might settle for a draw, Stones’ late strike in the fifth minute of injury time sealed the win. Guardiola rejected the notion that City had underperformed, praising their tactical approach against a team that defended deep.
“I’m sorry to disagree, but I thought we played really, really well,” Guardiola said. “You can’t press because [goalkeeper Jose] Sa plays long balls. We win the duels, which is fine, but there are 11 players on the penalty spot, so breaking them down is incredibly difficult.”
Guardiola elaborated on the challenges posed by Wolves’ physical style of play, highlighting the effectiveness of their defensive setup. “I would have loved to play and move forward, using transitions—look at what [Pedro] Neto did to us last season. Long balls to the striker are always tough to control, and with players like [Mario] Lemina, they are incredibly strong and aggressive. They excel at crosses with Bueno, Dawson, and Toti, making it tough for [Erling] Haaland.”
The manager noted that while his team created numerous chances, they struggled with height in attacking situations, leading to his assessment of their performance as “excellent.”
This match marked the second consecutive game where City faced a tough challenge, having narrowly defeated Fulham 3-2 in their previous outing. Guardiola expressed dissatisfaction with that performance, emphasizing the need for improvement. However, he was pleased with how his team approached the match against Wolves, despite the moments of luck.
“We’ve talked a lot about what defines us as a team. We go to the opponent, regardless of what happens. Today, we were much better in that regard,” he stated. “Teams that usually play four at the back switch to five against us, holding midfielders almost hand-in-hand with the center-backs. What do we need? Josko [Gvardiol], actions from the wingers, good crosses, and shots. It’s crucial to excel in tight spaces.”
Guardiola acknowledged the danger of allowing Wolves to counter-attack, stating, “We were close to being down 0-2. We need to be patient and execute good actions from the wingers, make dribbles, and have good runs from the forwards. If a player can dribble in tight spaces and score, that’s essential.”
He concluded with a rhetorical scenario, emphasizing the importance of maintaining attacking intent. “Imagine if Ruben [Dias] has the ball and decides, ‘Okay, I won’t attack.’ What would happen? I can’t say for sure, but it would create problems.”
Guardiola’s passionate defense of his team’s performance reflects the challenges they face in breaking down deep defenses while maintaining their attacking philosophy. As City continues their campaign, it’s clear that the manager remains committed to his vision, regardless of the obstacles in their path.