Guardiola Confident Manchester City Will Rebound

Following Manchester City’s recent defeat, manager Pep Guardiola provided comments to TNT Sports, stating: “We made a really good first-half. Second-half, we dropped. We changed our pressing for the reason that John [Stones] could not continue. Congratulations Aston Villa, and we keep going.” When asked if John Stones’ inability to continue was due to his prior injury, Guardiola confirmed: “Yeah.” Regarding Aston Villa, their opponents, Guardiola remarked: “In the mid-block, they are so strong. We had good moments. We had chances, more chances than in the [Manchester] United game but, in the second-half, we dropped and our pressing was not good enough.” He added: “We struggled a little bit and we could not drop them well. We found a goal in the end, but too late. We struggle to score and we concede goals.” Concerning goalscorer Phil Foden, Guardiola commented: “The last one or two games, he has been better. Most of the players have had problems. Sometimes the next season is not the same, the people change and the situation changes.” Addressing the team’s recovery of confidence, he stated: “Step by step. We have nice personalities in the team and, sooner or later, we are going to find it.” When questioned about whether he needs to adjust his strategy going forward, Guardiola responded: “Yeah, I have to do it. I back my players, that is what will be different.”