Pep Guardiola has come out fighting in the wake of Manchester City’s worst run of results since his first season in charge in 2016-17. After a heavy 4-1 loss to Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League, which marked City’s third consecutive defeat, the manager has vowed to “face it” and “lift” his players, despite the mounting pressure and challenges that lie ahead.
The defeat in Lisbon, which came on the back of two prior losses in the Premier League and the FA Cup, has raised questions about City’s form and their ability to cope with mounting injuries and squad disruptions. Guardiola, however, remains resolute in his belief that this tough period will pass, insisting that he and his players will face the adversity head-on.
“Yes, we knew it would be a tough season at the start,” Guardiola said after the loss. “I like it. I love it. I want to face it and lift my players. I won’t give up, that’s for sure.”
### A Streak to Forget: City’s Worst Sequence Since 2018
The defeat to Sporting was a painful one for Guardiola and his side. It was not only City’s third consecutive loss, but it also marked their worst run of results since 2018, when they suffered three straight defeats in a single season. The loss in Lisbon came after recent setbacks, including a narrow 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in the Premier League and a 2-1 FA Cup loss to Manchester United, leaving many to wonder how Guardiola’s normally dominant side had fallen into such a rut.
While Guardiola rejected Bernardo Silva’s post-match claim that the club is in a “dark place,” the City captain’s words reflect the underlying frustration within the camp. Despite the optimism Guardiola is trying to instill, Silva’s assertion that “everything looks to be going the wrong way” is hard to dismiss, given the nature of City’s performances in recent matches.
However, Guardiola, known for his fierce determination, refused to be disheartened by the current struggles. “It’s tough, but sometimes you have to accept it. We’ve had tough moments before, and we’ve always bounced back,” the manager said. “We are still alive in all competitions, and we continue.”
### A Young Squad, Big Injuries, and Tactical Disruptions
Manchester City’s injury crisis has been a major factor in their current slump. Guardiola’s decision to give a first start to 19-year-old Jahmai Simpson-Pusey against Sporting, just a day after his birthday and less than a week after his senior debut, highlighted the severity of the situation in defence. With key defenders like John Stones, Ruben Dias, and Nathan Aké unavailable, Guardiola was forced to rely on youth and untested players in the crucial Champions League encounter.
In addition to the defensive woes, City is also without their pivotal defensive midfielder, Rodri, who is expected to miss the remainder of the season. The absence of Rodri, along with a series of other key injuries, has left City stretched in several areas, with Guardiola struggling to find the right tactical balance to regain their form.
“We’ve got to manage injuries and the squad as best as we can,” Guardiola said. “It’s tough, but we have to stay strong, support each other, and work through it. We have a deep squad, but when you miss key players, it’s always a challenge.”
Rico Lewis, a versatile player who has impressed at right-back, was again called upon to fill in for the injured Kyle Walker. Meanwhile, Kevin de Bruyne, another vital figure in City’s creative midfield, was only risked for the final six minutes of the Sporting match due to ongoing concerns over his fitness.
Despite these setbacks, Guardiola has insisted that the current situation is not unfamiliar. He likened this difficult period to his first season in charge back in 2016-17 when City struggled for consistency, sitting fifth in the Premier League after a 4-0 defeat at Everton in January before embarking on a strong run that ultimately secured third place. Guardiola’s message to his players is clear: despite the tough times, he believes in their ability to turn things around.
“It happened in my first year,” Guardiola reflected. “Sometimes it does. I have to try to find an explanation, but sometimes it’s just football. You have to accept it. Sport is that. Life is that. Sometimes we have bad moments, but we face the reality.”
### The Path Ahead: Brighton and Beyond
City’s next challenge comes on Saturday with an away trip to Brighton. The match will be crucial, as Guardiola will be keen to avoid a fourth straight defeat, something that could have serious repercussions for both their league position and morale. As things stand, Manchester City is in second place in the Premier League, just two points behind leaders Liverpool, with an increasingly narrow gap to third-placed Nottingham Forest.
The Champions League table, meanwhile, is also a concern. Although City are currently sitting in sixth place, they face the prospect of slipping out of the top eight after the second round of fixtures in their group. A strong result at Brighton is vital if they are to maintain any momentum and stave off growing criticism from fans and pundits alike.
“We need to be better, and we know that,” Guardiola acknowledged. “We will work harder, and we’ll fight for everything. We have to stick together, and everyone has to give their best.”
### Bernardo Silva’s Frustration and Guardiola’s Confidence
As City struggles to regain their previous form, Bernardo Silva’s frustration is evident. “It’s difficult to find the reasons why what is happening to us now,” Silva said after the Sporting defeat. “In seven and a half seasons, I don’t remember three in a row. We’re in a dark place. Everything looks to be going the wrong way.”
Despite the growing concerns, Silva was keen to focus on the positives, noting that City is still well-positioned in the Premier League and Champions League. “The good thing is even though we’ve lost three games, we’re still fighting for everything,” Silva added. “But we need to do better. It’s just not good enough at the minute.”
Despite these struggles, Guardiola’s confidence in his players remains unwavering. “We are still alive in all competitions, and we continue,” he said. “We’ve faced tough times before, and we’ve always bounced back. Now we need to stay focused and take it one game at a time.”
### A New Rival: Ruben Amorim and Manchester United
While the focus is on City’s current struggles, Guardiola also looked ahead to the prospect of facing new rivals, including the potential arrival of Ruben Amorim at Manchester United. When asked about the possibility of facing Amorim as United’s new manager, Guardiola was pragmatic.
“Yes, he will be the United manager, and we will face him two times in the Premier League and maybe in the FA Cup,” Guardiola said. “In the Champions League, it’s not possible, but we will see him soon enough.”
Amorim’s potential move to Old Trafford is another intriguing subplot for the Premier League, and Guardiola will be well aware of the threat posed by the young, dynamic coach.
### Conclusion: Pep’s Unwavering Resolve
As Guardiola and his players navigate through one of the toughest periods in recent memory, the City manager remains steadfast in his commitment to the challenge. His determination to lift his squad and his refusal to back down from adversity are qualities that have made him one of the most successful managers in the game. Despite the setbacks and frustrations, Guardiola is clear: he will not give up on his players, and he believes that City will find their way back to the top.
“We will find it,” Guardiola concluded. “We are still alive in all competitions, and we continue to fight. That’s all we can do.”