Guardiola reacts after Manchester City’s defeat in the Manchester derby

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said that he has no complaints after the club’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in the Premier League. The Citizens started as the brighter team in the derby and they looked good value going forward during the opening 10 minutes. However, as the game progressed, the Red Devils started to stamp their authority on the counter-attack and they eventually bagged the opening goal through Marcus Rashford via the penalty spot.

That advantage was doubled soon after through Anthony Martial with a low shot and the Citizens could not make a comeback as Nicolas Otamendi netted the only goal for them. Speaking after the game, Guardiola acknowledged that his team gave their best against the Red Devils but the latter were better on the day, he told: “Yes we lost 1-2 but I congratulate my team, my players were fantastic, we are a fantastic team. They are so fast, so quick and sometimes when you lose the ball it is more difficult. We tried, we got to the last third many, many times and they can run. Maybe but more than usual.”

Meanwhile, the defeat has meant that the Citizens have dropped 14 points behind league leaders Liverpool and when pressed on the title prospects, Guardiola accepted that a comeback remains difficult with the Reds winning 15 of their 16 league games this season, he added: “We have to try to continue, there are many things to play for. It’s difficult because the opponents are on an incredible run winning 15 games out of 16.”

Manchester City’s next three league games come against Arsenal, Leicester City, and Wolverhampton Wanderers and they could face a stiffer challenge against the latter duo. The Gunners are currently experiencing a winless run which has stretched to nine matches but the Citizens can’t be complacent particularly with the north London side having the home advantage.