Pep Guardiola has come out fighting as Manchester City faces its worst run of results since 2018.
The 4-1 Champions League defeat to Sporting in Lisbon marked City’s third consecutive loss, a feat the club has only experienced once under Guardiola.
While City captain Bernardo Silva described the team as being in a “dark place” following the defeat, Guardiola rejected the notion, admitting that after such a heavy loss, words are often futile. Despite the challenges, he remains resolute in his approach.
“We knew it would be a tough season from the start,” Guardiola said. “I like it. I love it. I want to face it and lift my players. I won’t give up, that’s for sure.”
City’s injury crisis is compounding the difficulties, with key players like John Stones, Ruben Dias, and Kyle Walker missing, along with defensive midfielder Rodri out for the season.
In light of this, Guardiola handed a debut start to 19-year-old Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, who captained City’s FA Youth Cup-winning team.
Reflecting on the struggles, Guardiola likened the current situation to his first season at the club in 2016-17, when City faced a tough patch but bounced back to finish third in the Premier League.
“Sometimes it happens in football,” Guardiola said. “You have bad moments, but you face the reality and keep going. We are still alive in all competitions.”
With another challenging away trip to Brighton on Saturday, Guardiola will be hoping to avoid a fourth straight loss.
Despite the tough period, Silva remains optimistic but acknowledges the need for improvement. “In seven and a half seasons, I don’t remember three losses in a row,” Silva said. “We’re in a dark place, but we are still fighting for everything.”
Currently, City sits second in the Premier League, just two points behind Liverpool and still in contention in the Champions League, although their position may slip further as the competition progresses.
Despite the struggles, Guardiola remains determined to continue the fight, stressing the importance of perseverance in both the league and European competitions.
