Pep Guardiola: Man City coach admits team is vulnerable after six-game winning streak continues with draw against Feyenoord | Football News

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admitted his players’ confidence is at an all-time low after they blew a three-goal lead with just 15 minutes left to draw 3-3 with Feyenoord in the Champions League.

City appeared to be hoping for a confidence-boosting victory after they opened up a three-goal lead just eight minutes into the second half, with Erling Haaland scoring on either side of half-time after scoring at 0-4 Defeat on Saturday saw Tottenham squander several chances in the Premier League.

However, the visitors stunned City by scoring three goals in the final quarter of an hour – the first time they had blown such a lead under Guardiola – leaving the 2023 Champions League winners in 15th place after a sixth game in the new Format returned winless in all competitions, including five defeats.

Guardiola said the team’s recent run of defeats had affected their confidence.

“We have lost a lot of games recently, we are vulnerable and of course we need a win,” he said Amazon Prime after the game.

“The game was good for confidence, we were playing at a good level and then for the first time something happened, we struggled.”

“Everyone knows the situation, we don’t have to adjust anything. Tomorrow (Wednesday) we have to train, recover and then prepare for the next game. We have two or three days to prepare and get started. We will learn the future.

“It’s been a really difficult season for us in many ways and unfortunately today the game was well played, we punished them at the right moment. The team was so committed to so many things. But unfortunately something happened and we weren’t strong enough. We have to avoid these mistakes.”

The City coach was unable to explain why the Premier League champions, who have now conceded 17 goals in their last six games, are finding it so difficult to get back to winning ways, adding: “We are not in a position “To win games.” As a team, we’ve always found a way to win games.

“At the moment we can’t get another chance after situations. Nothing happened after 3-0. We couldn’t score a fourth goal, we couldn’t score a fifth goal. Nothing happened. We were in control, but now something has happened.” “

Guardiola was also quick to defend Josko Gvardiol after the Croatian endured another difficult night in defense.

“He is so young, he will learn,” Guardiola said. “It will be a good experience. With the way he played, he was the best player on the pitch. I would be very much mistaken if I pointed to one specific thing in our defeat.”

“He’s a fantastic player, a fantastic boy, now more than ever he needs to be helped.”

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Ake: It feels like a defeat – maybe we have a mentality problem

Manchester City defender Nathan Ake talks to Amazon Prime:

“Difficult – 3-0 up and we played pretty well and were in control, but then everything changed.”

“You just have to stay mentally strong. When the score is 3-1 they put pressure on, but I think we have to start a little earlier so we can keep the pressure on them, but we stayed behind and maybe invited more pressure on us.

“When you concede the second goal, the pressure is even greater and then we have to stay mentally stronger.”

If City gives away the game: “Yes, I think we have. When you’re 3-0 up at home, you can never give it away like that. That’s how it is at the moment. The only thing we can do is fight back and stay strong.”

If the draw feels like a defeat: “When you’re three goals ahead, conceding three goals at home feels like a defeat. It’s hard now, a hard evening, but the only thing we can do is look forward to the next one. Liverpool are big game and it is another challenge to overcome.

When problems are a question of mentality: “Maybe that’s it. It’s hard to say. Of course we haven’t been in this situation often, but we have to show our character here. When everything seems to be going against us and everyone is writing us off, we have to do it. Stay mentally strong, believe in us and stick together.

“Every season there is a phase where they write us off. We have to make sure we stay strong as a team and staff and make sure we get out of this.”