Pep Guardiola marked his 500th game as Manchester City manager with a crucial 2-0 victory over Leicester.
This win broke a five-game losing streak for City, giving them a much-needed boost.
Despite the win, Guardiola was quick to admit that his team was far from their best, and they were lucky to come away with all three points.
Guardiola Reflects on the Struggles
Guardiola acknowledged that the performance wasn’t perfect and described the victory as a relief more than a cause for celebration.
He said, “We needed this win to clear our minds and remind ourselves that we can win games.
” He also expressed how difficult it’s been for his side, stating that he never anticipated such a tough period for City.
However, Guardiola remains hopeful that this win will be the catalyst for a better run in the new year.
He admitted, “Leicester were much better for a lot of the game, and we didn’t have enough energy to maintain our level for 90 minutes.
But this win should help lift our spirits, and we hope to bounce back in the next few matches.”
Haaland’s Long-Awaited Goal
Erling Haaland, who scored City’s second goal in the match, was pleased to end a four-game goal drought.
Guardiola shared that Haaland had recently become a father, which likely played a part in his focus shifting away from football.
Despite not feeling the performance was ideal, Haaland agreed that the result was the most important thing.
“It was a relief to score, and now we can rest a little,” he said after the game.
Guardiola’s Long-Term Success Despite Recent Troubles
Though this season’s struggles have been tough for City, Guardiola’s tenure in Manchester has been marked by incredible success, including last year’s Treble.
The 53-year-old also signed a new two-year contract in November, signaling his commitment to the club.
Reflecting on the tough run of results, he said, “I know the last 13 or 14 games haven’t been great, but we have to appreciate the incredible things we’ve accomplished.
Hopefully, this difficult period will help us realize how special those moments were.”
Leicester’s Positive Performance Amidst Struggles
For Leicester, the loss was tough to take, especially given their strong performance during the game.
Despite being in the relegation zone after a fourth consecutive loss, Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy found some optimism in the display.
He said, “It’s disappointing not to take anything from the game, but this performance gives us something to build on.
” With the right attitude, Leicester will look to bounce back in the coming weeks, even though their position in the table remains concerning.