Pep Guardiola admits ‘struggling’ Man City ‘couldn’t handle’ Spurs in key area | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola admits that Man City “couldn’t handle the duels” like they normally do as they fell to a crushing 4-0 defeat to Spurs in the Premier League.

James Maddison grabbed a first-half brace upon his return to the starting Xi before Pedro Porro and substitute Brennan Johnson both scored in the second period.

“We do not expect opponents to not create chances and score goals,” Guardiola told Sky Sports after the final whistle.

“We’re in the moment. We started really well, we had chances and after the first time they arrive we concede. Then it’s a bit more difficult to come back.

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“Chances were there. The moment they create the chances, the build-up, we couldn’t handle the duels like normally. Now we’re struggling a little bit.

“It cannot happen. When you play top level teams we can concede chances but it’s part of process. In our situation it’s a bit tougher.

“I have to see the situation. The players came back late [from internationals]. There were a few reasons we’re not able to be consistent. Now the balance is not in the right moment. But it happened. We have to do it, talk and on Tuesday against Feyenoord have the chance to try.”

Rodri’s absence was once again keenly felt in midfield, with Man City only winning three times in the Premier League since he sustained an ACL injury against Arsenal in September. The club have been plagued by injury problems throughout the season, though, with Oscar Bobb, Mateo Kovacic, Jeremy Doku and Ruben Dias all sidelined at the moment.

“Of course Rodri is important but we knew that for many months,” Guardiola said. “But Stones can only play 45 minutes. Jack has been injured many times. Kevin, two months and five months.”

The results means Guardiola has lost five consecutive games for the first time in his managerial career and leaves Man City five points behind leaders Liverpool. That could stretch to eight if the Reds beat Southampton on Sunday.

“We have to come back and freshen our minds,” he said. “The season is so long. Many things can happen.

“Before the game I didn’t know what will happen today. So I don’t know what will happen at Anfield. Everyone knows the situation is new for us. We struggled more without the ball. I don’t know how many chances we created. Our game was there.”

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