Manchester City suffered their third consecutive defeat in all competitions as they went down 4-1 to Sporting Lisbon last night. It was by far and away City’s worst defeat of that losing run. The Portuguese champions exposed several of City’s frailties, especially in the second half. But coming out of the game Pep Guardiola told the media he is up for the fight ahead. Now it is up to his players to follow him.
Speaking with Football on TNT after his team’s heavy defeat Pep Guardiola was in a defiant mood. He said he was up for the fight ahead to get his team back on track. The City manager said: “Now is a difficult moment in terms of results but I’m here. I want to be here! And I want to fight and not give up, I like this challenge that as a manager I have ahead of me, and who wants to follow me, follow us, they will be there!”
It is clear that Pep Guardiola is up for the fight to get his team back on track. Injuries, under done players and players out of form has all conspired to see Manchester City drop their last three games. What appears apparent is that some of Manchester City’s players have lost confidence and form in recent games. Erling Haaland missed a host of chances and a penalty in City’s resounding defeat. Josko Gvardiol, Rico Lewis and Manuel Akanji were well below their best. The same can be said for almost the entire City team on the back of last night’s game.
The players aren’t the only one’s at fault for City’s emphatic defeat. As Pep Guardiola has said many times before they win and lose as a collective. But it is clear that Pep Guardiola is up for the fight ahead. Now his players have to snap out of the funk they currently find themselves in. Yes City’s squad has been ravaged by injury and fitness issues. But that can’t be used an excuse for performances like last night’s in Lisbon.
Manchester City do have a fight ahead starting with their Premier League clash with Brighton at the Amex Stadium this weekend. Pep Guardiola is up for the fight, that much is clear. Now it’s time for his players to follow him and return Manchester City to winning ways before the international break.
