Pep Guardiola Says Manchester City ‘forgot To Play’ In Defeat At Brighton

Pep Guardiola said his squad “forgot to play” aft they gave up a lead to suffer 2-1 astatine Brighton. It was Manchester City’s 2nd conclusion of nan season, nan first clip they person mislaid 2 of their first 3 convention games successful 21 years.

City had taken nan lead done Erling Haaland and seemed to person nan crippled nether power erstwhile nan Brighton manager, Fabian Hürzeler, made a quadruple substitution aft an hr and levelled from a James Milner punishment 7 minutes later.

“We played brilliantly nan first hr but conceded a extremity and past forgot to proceed playing,” said Guardiola. “We decided to play agelong but we were not bully enough. Sometimes nan momentum changes nan shapes. I utilized to beryllium a player. I understand this.”

Before nan collapse, Guardiola had seen affirmative signs. “I had nan emotion we are much progressive compared to past season,” he said, “but past play we mislaid to Spurs and Brighton and this play it happened again. It’s difficult astatine nan commencement of nan season, but we person to find a measurement to triumph games.” He besides confirmed Rayan Cherki is apt to beryllium retired for 2 months pinch a thigh injury.

Brajan Gruda claimed Brighton’s victor successful nan 89th minute. “At that moment, we were tired.” Guardiola said, pointing retired that if Abdukodir Khusanov had not gone disconnected injured 4 minutes earlier, his gait mightiness person covered nan spread that undid City.

“We are missing nan level,” said Rodri, aft his first convention commencement successful almost a year. “It is simply a matter of nan squad and nan changes, caller players person to accommodate and, of course, erstwhile you alteration nan squad that overmuch it is difficult. But immoderate of nan mistakes we are making are kids’ mistakes, not concentrating and paying attention. The reality is that we person to raise nan level if we want to compete.”

Hürzeler said of “a emotion that comes from inside” arsenic having guided his substitutions. “In immoderate moments my assemblage says thing to me. Not conscionable successful shot but mostly successful life you request to person nan courageousness to return nan decisions you want to if you consciousness they are nan correct point to do. But pinch 4 subs you don’t alteration nan game,” he said. “You request 11 players who are changed by nan subs, by their power and belief.”

He besides paid tribute to Milner who, astatine 39, came disconnected nan chair to people nan equaliser from nan punishment spot. “He ever has nan belief nary matter against whom you are playing, and if you person these believers successful your crew, it’s for illustration a affirmative microorganism that transports this to your teammates and nan crowd. One has nan spark and nan spark becomes for illustration a fire.”