Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has delivered a frank assessment of his team’s performance following their midweek loss in Germany, suggesting his players approached the match with excessive caution rather than ambition.
The City boss, who made significant changes to his starting lineup for the Champions League encounter, observed that his squad appeared to prioritize avoiding mistakes over attempting to win the game. “When you step onto the pitch, you must show initiative, but we failed to do so,” Guardiola stated. “They seemed more concerned with safety than with making an impact.”
Guardiola confirmed he maintains full confidence in his entire roster despite the disappointing result and acknowledged the necessity of squad rotation given the demanding fixture schedule. “I believe strongly in these players, perhaps even more than they believe in themselves,” he commented. “This experience has provided important insights, even for someone with my managerial background.”
The Spanish tactician identified what he perceived as the core issue: “They were playing not to lose rather than playing to win. In high-level football, this mentality makes success nearly impossible. You must balance defensive solidity with offensive courage.”
Looking ahead to the weekend’s domestic fixture, Guardiola indicated he would reintegrate several first-choice players who were rested during the European match. The team continues to be without key midfielder Rodri due to a hamstring issue, though the manager described his recovery progress as encouraging.
City now turn their attention to league competition as they seek to regain momentum after consecutive defeats.
