<a href="https://www.archysport.com/2022/01/premier-league-manchester-citys-turnover-for-the-first-time-higher-than-manchester-uniteds/" title="Premier League – Manchester City's turnover for the first time higher than Manchester United's”>Manchester City is in crisis. The team lost its fourth competitive game in a row. A series that City last experienced 18 years ago – and which is completely new for Pep Guardiola. However, the trainer does not react combatively, but makes surprising statements.
Pep Guardiola seemed dismayed. After the defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion, the Manchester City coach drew a sobering conclusion after the eleventh matchday of the Premier League. “Maybe after seven years in which we won six Premier League titles, a different team deserves it this year,” Guardiola said after the 2-1 defeat.
The bankruptcy marked the end of a black week for Manchester. It was City’s fourth competitive defeat in a row. The last time the successful club experienced a series like this was 18 years ago. It’s a scary first for Guardiola – the star coach has never left the pitch as a loser four times in a row in his career.
Superstar Erling Haaland gave Manchester the lead in the 23rd minute, but Joao Pedro (78th) and Matt O’Riley (83rd) turned the game around in the final phase with a double strike for German coach Fabian Hürzeler’s team. “We have to try to win games again,” said Guardiola: “We have to change things quickly. The schedule will be tough, but it will happen when the players come back.” At the moment, however, his team is “not able to last 90 minutes at the highest level.”
“Sport is not always sunshine”
There had already been a dispute at City after the clear defeat in the Champions League at Sporting Lisbon. Bernardo Silva put his finger on the wound and spoke of City being “in a bit of a dark place”. When asked about this, Guardiola said: “I don’t agree with him. We are not in a dark place. We played really badly against Bournemouth, but we played really well today.”
City had recently lost in the League Cup against Tottenham Hotspur and in the Premier League against Bournemouth, plus the defeat in the Champions League, followed by a 2-1 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion. “Sport is not always sunshine. It’s not always good moments,” said Guardiola: “Today I was asked in the press conference whether this was the end of an era. I know people want that. I’ve smelled it for many, many years.”
Like so many teams, City is currently suffering from a misery of injuries. On Saturday, Guardiola was without Ruben Dias, John Stones, Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish. Rodri is missing everywhere. The head of the team is out until the end of the season with a torn cruciate ligament.
Despite all of Guardiola’s doom and gloom, City’s situation is not hopeless. The team is in second place in the Premier League, five points behind leaders Liverpool. In the Champions League, Manchester has seven points after four games and is just behind eighth place, which means direct qualification for the round of 16.
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