Pep Guardiola (foto: Getty Images)
Pep Guardiola dismissed using Rodri’s absence as an excuse for Man City’s poor form, urging his team to adapt and find solutions during their challenging run.
Pep Guardiola has firmly rejected the notion that Rodri’s absence is to blame for Manchester City’s ongoing struggles. Speaking ahead of City’s trip to Anfield to face Liverpool, the manager admitted that the defending champions are facing a tough period but remains confident in his ability to steer the team back on track.
Guardiola, who has led City to an unprecedented era of success, is enduring his toughest spell as manager with the club suffering five consecutive defeats. Despite the pressure, Guardiola stressed the importance of resilience. "It's not nice to live, of course it's not nice, but what do you expect? That everything will be a red carpet? That everything is nice and easy?" he said. "Now I have to prove myself."
The City boss recently extended his contract until 2027, signaling his commitment to overcoming challenges. "I want the opportunity to try. I don't want to run... I asked for this challenge and this opportunity to do it because I feel it," Guardiola told reporters. He acknowledged the team’s inconsistency but pointed out that no team in any sport remains dominant for a decade. "Which team around the world, over 10 years, is consistent? It doesn’t exist," he said.
City’s struggles coincide with the absence of Rodri, who is recovering from ACL surgery. While Rodri’s absence has been felt, Guardiola made it clear that it cannot serve as an excuse. "It's not an excuse that Rodri is not there. What are we going to do, cry all the time that Rodri is not there? I have to find a solution, and I’m trying every day," he said. Guardiola also highlighted the absence of four central defenders in the past month as another hurdle.
Despite their current woes, Guardiola urged his team to remain hopeful and focus on finding ways to win games. "We cannot forget that, three months ago, we were Premier League champions. We made the FA Cup final and the quarter-finals of the Champions League," he said. "It’s not about playing good or playing bad, it’s about winning games. We won the Treble and four titles in a row."
Manchester City heads into their clash against Liverpool looking to close the gap on league leaders and rebuild their confidence. Guardiola’s message is clear: adversity is part of the game, and the team must rise to the challenge.