Pep Guardiola clashes with Ilkay Gundogan over 'complicated' judgment as Manchester City's turmoil deepens with Champions League defeat at Juventus
Pep Guardiola has criticized Ilkay Gundogan's suggestion that Manchester City should take a more direct approach.
Pep Guardiola.
On Wednesday, City lost again, this time to Juventus 2-0 in Turin. The hosts prevailed thanks to second-half goals from Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie, while City's woes continue, having won only one of its past ten games in all competitions - this was the team's seventh loss in that span.
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As a result, Guardiola's club sits 22nd in the Champions League table with only two games remaining: away to Paris St-Germain on January 22 and at home to Club Brugge the following week. The clubs placing ninth through 24th will advance to a two-legged play-off, but Wednesday's setback left City only one point ahead of PSG in 25th.
Following the loss, Gundogan stated that City must change its strategies to overcome its present slump. "It's quite frustrating. We had a couple chances to score, but it seems like every assault we surrender is really dangerous right now. "I have a feeling we are a little careless with duels," he told TNT Sports.
"Instead of playing simply, we overcomplicated things and missed the proper time to unleash the ball. Simply surrender the ball and allow for counterattacks. We are created for possession; retain the ball, be powerful, and if you can't do anything, don't lose it. At the time, it isn't working for us."
Guardiola was asked about Gundogan's comments and he disagreed. The City manager said, "No, no, we did that today. Other days, no, but today we accomplished it. We did it really well. We did not loose as many balls as we had in the past; instead, we tried and got into position. However, we know how difficult it is for Italian teams to defend so deep and compactly.
"They are masters of these kind of scenarios. Nonetheless, we acted like ourselves. The outcome is not present, but the performance is. We play really, really well. We missed the last portion, the last action. We acknowledge that some transition occurred. But I'm very pleased of these athletes because they gave it their all, and we're now living in this era.
"Hopefully, we can adjust and have a positive outcome. I know it will be difficult, as it usually is in the Champions League. We play perfectly well. We have two games, and we may need one point. We need to pursue a triumph. Our three road games were quite challenging. When we turn things around, we'll enjoy that time more."
