Pep Guardiola bemoaned his Manchester City side’s inability to win games after they blew a 3-0 lead against Feyenoord, to make it six games without a win in all competitions.
‘We are not able to win games, admitted Guardiola. ‘As a team, always we find a way over the years. Right now, in another situation, nothing happens.’
Asked about a cut on his nose and various red marks on his head in his post-match press conference, Guardiola joked that he wanted to hurt himself as he watched his side capitulate.
‘Yes, it’s from my nail on my finger,’ he said. ‘I cut myself with my fingernail (during the game). I want to hurt myself.’
Feyenoord scored three goals in 14 second-half minutes to stun City, who ended their five game losing streak but go into Sunday’s clash against Premier League leaders Liverpool at Anfield, without a win in over a month.
‘It was not necessary to say anything to them – they know it perfectly,’ said Guardiola, when asked what he said to his players. ‘Three episodes and they (Feyenoord) didn’t allow us to win. It is what it is and so difficult to swallow. It will be a tough season for us and we have to accept it. We have to lift them (for Anfield). I have to lift my players. It is my job.’
Pep Guardiola watched on in horror as his side surrendered a three-goal advantage against Feyenoord
City’s winless run in all competitions extended to six games after their Etihad capitulation
Feyenoord mounted an incredible comeback to recover in the final 15 minutes of the thrilling clash
With City three goals up, Guardiola made a triple change in the 69th minute bringing on Kevin De Bruyne, James McAtee and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and the City boss admitted that he thought the game was over.
‘Nathan (Ake) came off with 20 minutes left and I didn’t have the feeling of a game in danger. Nathan has been injured many times. We didn’t want to expose him for 90 minutes. Ilkay (Gundogan) is the only fit holding midfielder we have and Phil (Foden) plays a lot of minutes,’ Guardiola said. ‘I did it for Kevin (De Bruyne) to get rhythm in the best way and Macca (McAtee) and Jahmai (Simpson-Pusey) are always so stable. In the moment, it was completely fine.’
Asked about the boos at full-time from a section of City supporters, Guardiola insisted that he understood why.
‘They are disappointed. Of course we understand it. They come here not to remember the success in the past, but to see the team win,’ he said.
The draw leaves City 15th in the Champions League standings, with eight points from five games and games against Juventus, PSG and Club Brugge remaining. City have also conceded two or more goals in six successive matches in all competitions for the first time since May 1963.
Meanwhile, Feyenoord boss Brian Priske hailed his players for their mentality but insisted that City are still the best team in the world.
‘It was an unbelievable game and an unbelievable evening facing, still for me, the best team in the world, said Priske. ‘Obviously they are struggling in elements at the moment, even though they were leading 3-0. They gave away three key moments that we exploited at the end. It was a remarkable effort and mentality from our boys. After 3-1 I definitely felt that my boys were ready for this and then when they got 3-2 we felt that there was maybe something in the air tonight.’
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