Pep looking at ways of conceding fewer goals | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola admits the goals conceded against Leeds United and Fulham are a worry but also pointed to the good things his players did in both games.

City shipped five goals combined in the second halves of both the aforementioned games after leading 2-0 against Leeds and then after leading 5-1 at Fulham – though the Blues still won both matches.

The boss says he and his players will be working on ways to stop shipping goals, starting against Sunderland on Saturday.

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“Of course I’m concerned,” said Guardiola.

“We did good things and try to understand why we conceded goals and [why we were not as good] as we were in the first half.

“Huge respect for Fulham, and we scored five goals there, but sometimes of course we see what happened [but it is] part of our growth mistakes [and part of] the process.

“We need to accept it.”

Pep also pointed out the unusually high conversion rate of our opponents in both games.

Leeds scored two from four shots on target, while Fulham scored four from six attempts on target.

“[We scored] three goals versus Leeds and five versus Fulham,” said Pep.

“We also did many good things. How many shots on target had Leeds? [Four] and two [goals]?

“Fulham had maybe five or six [shots on target] and the average they shot and we conceded is high, so we need to improve.

“On the edge of the box, we didn’t have players there. We will talk to the players.

“Fulham had [qualities], but different, Sunderland’s physicality is impressive.

“I don’t like to concede goals, and we have to build from that.

“To fix these things we can do better, [but we want to] create chances and score goals.

“Conceding four or three goals in games, it will be difficult [to win] and [we must] be more solid.

“That belongs to everyone. I had the feeling after the games [against Leeds and Fulham] what we have to do, and the players will know after today.”

Limited City v Sunderland tickets available

Limited tickets remain for qualifying members for City’s Premier League clash with Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday 6 December.

Sitting second in the table, Pep Guardiola’s side are looking to keep pressure on league leaders Arsenal as we approach the halfway point of the campaign.

The newly promoted Black Cats will provide a stern test having enjoyed a fabulous return to the top-flight so far.

This is in fact the first Etihad meeting between the sides since Pep’s very first game in charge of City all the way back in 2016!

Get your seats now!

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