Pep Guardiola feels that Manchester City cannot afford to lose any more matches in their race to clinch the Premier League title. Last weekend`s loss to Newcastle, which was City`s fourth loss in the campaign, has left them seven points behind the table toppers, Arsenal.
On the other hand, Arsenal have been enjoying their rich form in the league, as they have suffered just one loss in the 12 matches so far.
Speaking about the further campaign, Guardiola said, “We cannot lose games, absolutely, that is the truth. They are so strong and winning games, and winning games in a way where they are so solid, like we had in the past with Liverpool against us, and they were not going to drop many points”.
“That`s why you have to be up there, and this is what we will try to do,” he added.
Despite losing the match against Newcastle, Man City`s coach said that it was a good game, but the side will now have to start winning the matches.
“We made a really good game, we created more in Newcastle than previous seasons, and it was quite good, but we lost. Now we have to regain our momentum to start winning games and being there because there is still so long in the season,” said the 54-year-old coach.
The side endured another disappointing loss by 2-0 against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League in midweek, a match in which City made 10 changes to the starting line-up.
Speaking about the match, “We didn`t try. In football, when you play on the green, you have to try things, and we didn`t try. I think they played not to make mistakes, not to play to do something, that is so difficult. In football, you have to play offensive, and you have to try… they played to be safe,” said the Spain-born.
Man City will face struggling Leeds United on Saturday, and Guardiola feels that the players who started against Leverkusen lacked confidence. There were occasions against Leverkusen when City players tried to rally the crowd, but he said he could understand the supporters` lack of enthusiasm.
(With AFP Inputs)
