Pep Guardiola has “incredible confidence” in his errant Manchester City superstars as he backs the Premier League champions to rediscover their form.
City lost 2-1 at Aston Villa on Saturday as their disappointing run continued.
They have now lost nine of their last 12 games in all competitions.
For the first time under Guardiola, City are winless in five consecutive Premier League away games (D1 L4), last failing to win more consecutive matches under Manuel Pellegrini in December 2015 (six).
But Guardiola, who suffered a blow earlier this week when centre-back Ruben Dias went down injured, has not lost faith in a squad that has achieved so much.
“It’s up to us,” Guardiola said, as reported by BBC Sport. “The solution is [to] Bring the players back [from injury].
“We only have one central defender fit, it’s difficult.
@Erling HaalandPost-match reflection.
— Manchester City (@mancity) December 21, 2024
“We are going to try in the next game, [for] Another chance and we don’t think much of it.
“The goals that we have not lost in the past, we recognize [don’t] Do the goals we’ve done in the past. Football is not just a cause. There are many smaller reasons.
“Last season we won the Premier League, but here we are [Villa Park] And losing we have to think positive and I have incredible confidence in the boys.
“They have some incredible pride and desire to do it. We have to find a way step by step, find a way back sooner or later.”
City’s latest defeat leaves them sixth, nine points behind league leaders Liverpool, who have two games in hand.
Their previous nine defeats in all competitions before this dreadful run were 112 games, while only 2019–20 (12) and 2016–17 (10) saw Guardiola’s side lose more matches in a single season (nine in 2024–25).
