Apart from “twenty minutes” against Fulham and the whole game against Bournemouth, “we’re good since the start of the season, put coach Pep Guardiola into perspective when asked on Friday about his side’s three successive defeats. Manchester City. In just over three minutes, the Spaniard dispatched the press conference dedicated to Saturday’s league match (18:30/17:30 GMT) at Brighton.

Beaten by Tottenham (2-1) in the League Cup, by Bournemouth (2-1) in the league and then the Sporting Lisbon (4-1) in the Champions League, Guardiola could lose four matches in a row for the first time in his career. “There’s a first time for everything in life. Let’s hope this isn’t the case”.he replied briefly.

The man who has coached Manchester City since 2016 was keen to take a step back from his team’s supposed crisis. “For twenty minutes against Fulham (victory 3-2 on October 5), we weren’t good. Against Bournemouth (2-1 defeat on November 2), we weren’t good. But the rest of the games, we were good. We are good”.he insisted.

Deprived of Rodri

“They’ve proved time and time again what they’re capable of. I haven’t changed my mind about them.”he said of his players. He also suggested that the injuries affecting his squad almost single-handedly explained the recent poor results.

“That’s soccer, it happens. We know why we’re struggling. We’re looking forward to the game (against Brighton) and after the international break. Then, some players will come back in better shape and recover.”he said. Guardiola without Spanish defensive midfielder for several months Rodrirecently appointed Golden Ball 2024. Belgian playmaker Kevin De Bruyne played again in Lisbon for the first time since mid-September.

Players absent through injury in Portugal, including Ruben Dias, John Stones and Jack Grealish, are expected to withdraw again on Saturday, the coach said. Despite their recent woes, the four-time title holders are just two points behind current leaders Liverpool, who host Aston Villa on Saturday in Round 11.