Pep Guardiola expressed optimism about Manchester City's prospects despite enduring a rare fourth consecutive defeat, marking the first time in his managerial career he has faced such a losing streak. City's recent 2-1 loss to Brighton followed earlier setbacks against Tottenham in the League Cup, Bournemouth in the Premier League, and Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League. With the defending champions now trailing league leaders Liverpool by five points after 11 matches, Guardiola acknowledged the current slump but remained confident in the team's ability to bounce back.
Guardiola reflected on his past experiences as a player, noting that losing streaks are part of the sport. He dismissed the notion that City’s past successes make them immune to difficult periods, emphasizing that setbacks like these are normal. The City boss mentioned the importance of maintaining perspective, explaining that their consistent dominance in recent years does not guarantee continued success without challenges. He highlighted the need for resilience as his team aims to reclaim their top form.
Injuries have also compounded City’s struggles, with key players like Ruben Dias, John Stones, Jeremy Doku, and Jack Grealish unavailable for recent matches, including the defeat at Bournemouth. Guardiola admitted that the team's current lack of consistency has hindered their ability to maintain the high standards that have brought them numerous titles. Despite these setbacks, he expressed hope that City will recover and learn from this rough patch, believing that their experience can help them regain momentum.
Looking ahead, Guardiola warned against complacency, recalling similar challenges from the previous season when City struggled during November and December before mounting a successful title defense. He stressed that every match will be tough, especially in the challenging run-up to Christmas, which includes fixtures against Tottenham, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Manchester United, and Aston Villa. Guardiola remains optimistic that his squad will gradually regain their best form and continue competing at the highest level as the season progresses.
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