1 day ago
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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke about an interesting week for his team where lots of goals have been scored
Pep Guardiola admitted concern over the goals Manchester City are conceding but does not want to lose what his team are. In a feisty press conference, the City boss attempted to switch the focus from their second-half collapses to the good position they are getting into in the first place.
Having been brief in his press conference on Monday, Guardiola gave lengthy answers to many in a session that nearly ran for half an hour across the two parts. Included in his answers were passionate defences of what his team are good at as they sit in second place in the Premier League.
When it was put to him about the six goals they have conceded in the last two matches, he responded: "And the three goals against Leeds and five goals against Fulham as well. You can see two versions. We have always done many good things. How many shots on target for Leeds - three? Scored two. Fulham? Five or six.
"The average of shots we concede is high. We have to improve. All the goals were from the edge and we didn't have players there to defend that position and we will talk today and maybe tomorrow morning but it's different players and different qualities. The rhythm and physicality of Sunderland is impressive but offensively and defensively they have many concepts.
"I don't like to concede two goals and four goals but at the same time we are the team that scores the most and we have to build from that. We have to fix things we can do better but not lose what we are. Of course when you concede four goals in games it will be so difficult, you have to be more solid but it belongs to everyone not just goalkeeper and defenders. I saw the game and I have the feeling I know what we have to do. The players will know it today."
Guardiola gave full credit to what Sunderland have achieved so far to defy expectations and sit in the top six of the Premier League, and he once again praised Fulham for their efforts under Marco Silva. However tough it has been to risk dropping points against Leeds and Fulham, City's manager is delighted to come away with six points.
"Of course I'm concerned - with the good things. I try to understand what happened to concede the goals to be not as good as we were in the first half. It's not much," he said.
"The opponent always counts. I have high consideration for Marco and Fulham since they were promoted. They came here when they were in the Championship in a cup and played really good, and that year they were promoted to the Premier League.
"I know scoring five goals there is not easy - the chances that we created, even more - but at the same time of course we see what happened to lose the good result and momentum. It's part of the growth, the mistakes and the process, we have to accept it and tomorrow is another one.
"I'm an incredibly optimistic person and want to see the good things we have done. Against Leeds, Enzo Maresca with the job he has done in Chelsea he has not had the credit for what he has done and look what happened. It's really difficult.
"If you are able to win games, after you can lose, lose, lose. It only happens in this country, that's why I give incredible credit to when we won 5-4 at Fulham. There were moments where I said 'oh my god' but after that I take the positive things."
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