UCL: Guardiola Remains Optimistic as Manchester City Faces Feyenoord Amidst Five-Game Slump
In a spirited display of resilience, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed unwavering confidence in his team’s ability to turn their fortunes around despite an alarming stretch of five consecutive defeats.
As City gears up to host Dutch side Feyenoord in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, Guardiola remains hopeful about the season’s potential.
“We can still achieve very good things this season,” Guardiola stated during his pre-match press conference on Monday. “I don’t give up, and I have the feeling we will be there.” His comments came as City seeks their first victory since late October, a crucial win that could reignite their campaign across all competitions.
Guardiola emphasized the pressure that comes with defending a rich legacy, noting, “You are defending a legacy, a tradition, a success that is so difficult to handle.” He urged his players to focus on the immediate challenge ahead rather than dwell on past failures. “If we don’t do it, we don’t do it. It’s just about trying to focus on winning the next games.”
Currently, City finds itself in a precarious position, sitting eight points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool, with a daunting trip to Anfield on the horizon next weekend. In the Champions League, they languish in 10th place after a mixed bag of performances, including two wins, a draw, and a defeat. Additionally, the club has already been eliminated from the League Cup.
Despite the team’s struggles, Guardiola has no plans to overhaul his methods, which have previously led to four consecutive Premier League titles and a Champions League triumph in 2023. “I want the players in certain departments to be more focused,” he insisted. “And step by step, we will come back. This too shall pass. Life is like that.”
The City boss highlighted the importance of desire over tactics at this juncture, urging his squad to channel their passion into securing a victory. “Right now, the most important thing is not tactics; it is to win a game on desire,” he added.
Guardiola’s optimism is further buoyed by the return of key players, including midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian, who has battled injuries this season, expressed his frustration at being unable to contribute fully during the team’s rough patch. “I can help the team, but you can only do so much from the side,” De Bruyne admitted. “It’s been a bit chaotic, with so many around the medical area.”
