UK: 18+ USA: 21+ | Begambleaware.org | T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola called out his players and his club’s fans following his side’s 4-2 comeback victory at the Etihad on Thursday evening.
The Premier League title holders went into the break 2-0 down to Spurs who netted goals late in the first half through Dejan Kulusevski and Emerson Royal. The home side received boos from some sections of the home support after a poor performance in the opening half at the Etihad.
However, Guardiola’s side came screaming back into the game in the second period, with Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland scoring in quick succession to level the game by the 52nd minute.
Riyad Mahrez then worked his magic from the wing to score two goals before the game was out to see City clinch a vital victory after enduring a short spell of poor form as of late.
Guardiola Rails Against City Players and Fans
Speaking after the game, Guardiola told of how he was frustrated by the absence of passion, fire and desire” in his team in the opening half, though he was happy with the victory.
“I cannot deny how happy we are, but we are far away from the team that we were,” the City manager told Sky Sports interviewer Pat Davison following the win.
“Not in terms of play, we played good enough but there are many things like competitiveness, in terms of what we have to do in many things that we are far away,” the manger explained.
“Rico Lewis conceded four fouls, but they weren’t yellow cards because it’s Rico Lewis and we don’t react,” he said, “We play because ‘my manager told me to play this and how to do this’, but there’s nothing from the stomach or the gut.”
While Guardiola was critical of his side in the game, he also railed against the City fans that were in attendance at the game.
Players and Fans at City Too ‘Relaxed’
“Today, we were lucky but it wouldn’t change, sooner or later we are again to drop points,” he stated, “(We are missing) passion, fire and desire and to win from minute one.”
“It’s the same with our fans, they are silent for 45 minutes. They booed because we were losing, not because we played badly,” Guardiola said in the interview, “We played good, we had more chances, expected goals from Tottenham is 0.89 so we were better.”
“They booed because we were losing, but maybe it’s the same as our team,” The Blues boss added, “Maybe we were so comfortable winning four Premier League’s in five years and that’s why we… you know. After the goal, they react, but that’s not the point.”
Guardiola said that the fire was “definitely” gone form his players, explaining that this was the reason why they were conceding goals in every game. The manager said it was his job to reignite the determination in his squad.
“That is my duty, my job. I want my fans back, I want my fans here. Not my away fans, they are the best, but my fans here,” he added, “The support for every corner and every action and support it. We have to do it, but everyone is relaxed.”
“The Premier League doesn’t wait. We have the opening with Arsenal and they have the fire.
“Two decades, they haven’t won the Premier League and every player knows they will make history, like we felt when we won the first Premier League and broke all the records and won back to back,” he explained.
“We don’t have the fire inside and we don’t have to ask anything, I just explained the reality that everything is so comfortable. And the opponents don’t wait. Of course I’m not (happy with the team). I don’t recognize my team. My team always has passion and desire and run and everything.”
Subscribe to Punditfeed on Google News for all the latest updates from the world of sports!
