Pep Guardiola's Reasons For Staying Strong Even Though The Economy Flows

Pep Guardiola feels strong with Manchester City players facing a difficult situation (Instagram/@pepteam).

JAKARTA - Manchester City got the spotlight. The bad results in a row made Pep Guardiola a target.

Rejekan kepada sang pelatih hingga prediksi bahwa The Citizens bakal gagal dalam perburuan gelar Liga Inggris musim ini berluar.

Moreover, Manchester City have just received injuries from their rivals in the race for the league title, Liverpool.

When The Citizens travel to Anfield on Sunday, December 1, 2024, Erling Haaland and colleagues fall to their knees 0-2.

The defeat extended Manchester City's poor record to seven consecutive games without a win, six defeats and one draw, in all competitions.

Four successive defeats include taking place in the 2024/2025 Premier League, the first time since 2008.

Guardiola is aware that his team needs to be reorganized or started from scratch again after returning from Anfield. He saw many gaping weaknesses.

"We don't have any speed in midfield at the moment. They (Liverpools) are stronger in duels and you have to stick with the ball."

"We were not good at the 30-40 meters transition compared to them. We had to adapt and we succeeded. I couldn't forget which players I had," Guardiola said after the game.

It's different like the previous seasons when Manchester City was victorious and superior. This time, Guardiola is really worried that his team will not be able to bounce back after fighting Liverpool.

"Often we came here (Anfield) during our heyday and suffered, 0-1 or 0-2 behind."

"However, we cannot compete with Liverpool (currently), a team that is in transition, because they are very fast and stronger than us in that position," said the coach.

Therefore, continuous pressure came to The Citizens. However, everything was borne by Guardiola to protect his team.

The Spaniard not only had to make Manchester City rise, reset the system, but also had to be strong when ridicule hit him.

As is well known, Liverpool fans mocked him with the singing that Guardiola would be fired, even in the previous match.

Guardiola retaliated by showing the audience six fingers to tell them the number of league titles he had brought while at the Etihad.

"All the stadiums wanted to fire me. It started in Brighton. Maybe they were right with the results we got."

"Maybe I still have a job because I won six Premier League titles. I didn't expect it at Anfield. They didn't do it at 1-0, but at 2-0."

"Maybe they should have sung it in the past. I didn't expect it from the people from Liverpool."

"However, it's okay, it's part of the game. I fully understand. We have fought together tremendously. I respect them (supporters)," said Guardiola.

However, Guardiola has reason to always respect the ridicule that came to him as well as the situation he is facing.

His players who have been with him for a long time are one of Guardiola's strengths to be strong in facing all pressure.

He also has high confidence that Manchester City will bangkin. Guardiola was reluctant to even challenge to see the end of the season.

"I live better than ever. However, I would say very honestly. I was lucky to be able to live that and now I am not under pressure."

"When I'm in trouble, my mom and dad never leave me. They're always there. Now, I feel at this club, I want to be with these players."

"We didn't expect us to lose one game, two games. Losing six or seven games was incredible, that's a lot, but that's how it is, just accept it."

"I'm here as a manager and defending what we've done in the past thanks to them. More than ever, I want to be with them and hug them."

"We have to change the results and at the right time we will make a decision," Guardiola said.

Currently Manchester City are thrown into fifth place in the 2024/2025 Premier League standings. They packed 23 points from 13 matches, 11 points from Liverpool at the top of the table.