Guardiola Upbeat on Manchester City Return to Form

Coach of Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, has stressed that he is optimistic his side will put behind them their bad run of form and achieve success this term.

His statements came on the back of Saturday’s 0-4 loss to fellow English Premier League foes, Tottenham at home at the Etihad.

“I have the feeling that this season we will do very good things,” he told his pre-match press conference. “I don’t give up, and I have the feeling we will be there.”

“You are defending a legacy, a tradition, a success that is so difficult to handle. So, that’s why I relax. If we don’t do it, we don’t do it. It’s just about trying to focus on the short period of time and winning the next games.

In his opinion, the only way back up if for the players to show “commitment” and “focus.”

“What I want is a commitment. I want the players in certain departments to be more focused. What do we have to do? And step by step, we will come back. This too shall pass. Life is like that.

“When you think it’s perfect, you are wrong. It’s going to rain tomorrow. So, that’s life.

“Right now, the most important thing is not tactics, it is to win a game on desire. You look at December and at the end of the season, whether you need to change things and be more solid, but these guys will do very, very good things,” he said.

Guardiola noted that no matter his tactical prowess, the players must show a desire to win games.

“I can help the team, but you can only do so much from the sidelines,” he noted.

The former Barcelona Coach also lamented the injury crisis his side is facing, with the likes of De Bryune, Rodri and many others missing games.

“It’s been a bit chaotic, I would say. I’ve seen so many people around the medical area, sports science, (you wonder) who’s playing and who’s not playing.

“There were people who shouldn’t be playing but did anyway with injuries,” he said.

City are presently eight points behind leaders, Liverpool, in the Premier League title race.

Both sides will clash at Anfield next weekend.

Guardiola will, however, have to focus on a UEFA Champions League clash with Feyenoord on Tuesday before then.