Pep Guardiola explains the cuts and scratches to his face after Man City’s collapse to Feyenoord, bottling a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3.
Despite leading by three goals going into the 75th minute, Pep Guardiola’s side conceded three times in the last 15 minutes of the game.
Two goals from Erling Haaland and Ilkay Gundogan’s deflected volley had them three up by the 50th minute. But Anis Hadj Moussa made the most of a defensive error from Josko Gvardiol to get the first goal back on 75 minutes before Santiago Gimenez came off the bench and converted from close range to make it 3-2. David Hancko then headed in the equaliser to shock everyone inside the Etihad.
Player ratings (per Sky Sports)
Man City: Ederson (5), Lewis (6), Akanji (5), Ake (7), Gvardiol (5), Gundogan (7), Silva (5), Nunes (7), Foden (7), Grealish (5), Haaland (7).
Subs: De Bruyne (6), Simpson-Pusey (6), McAtee (6).
Feyenoord: Wellenreuther (7), Nieuwkoop (6), Trauner (6), Hancko (7), Smal (6), Hwang (7), Milambo (6), Timber (6), Hadj Moussa (8), Carranza (6), Paixao (7).
Subs: Beelen (7), Zerrouki (7), Gimenez (7), Lotomba (7), Gonzalez (n/a).
Player of the match: Anis Hadj Moussa.
There were concerns when the Manchester City boss appeared for his post-match interviews with marks all over his face and head.
Pep joked he wanted to ‘harm himself’ after his side extended their winless run to six matches in all competitions.
He questioned in his press conference about a cut on his nose, while scratches were also visible on his head.
— Out Of Context Football (@nocontextfooty) November 27, 2024
🔵📉 Pep Guardiola: “We have problems, yes”.
“Three changes? The game is never over, but at 3-0, I could not see any danger…”. pic.twitter.com/frgkFChP29
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 26, 2024
Pep Guardiola’s full-time reaction after seeing his Man City side throw away a 3-0 lead at home…
🎤 @gabrielclarke05 #UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/PHYBEQMbMi
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) November 26, 2024
‘Yes, it’s from my nail on my finger,’ Guardiola said. ‘I cut myself with my fingernail (during the game).
Guardiola then said ‘I want to harm myself’, before smiling at reporters and got up to leave at the conclusion of his press conference.
Despite Guardiola’s comment appearing to be a joke, concerns were expressed on social media at the Man City manager’s statement.
Broadcaster Nicky Crosby wrote: ‘In what other industry would this be considered ok? People would offer support and professional help. Why should football be any different?!
‘It’s tough to watch.’
Pep Guardiola, to Amazon Prime: “The game was fine at 3-0, playing good, but then we concede a lot goals because we were not stable. We gave them the first and then the other one, that is why it was difficult.
“We lost a lot of games lately, we are fragile and of course we needed a victory, the game was good for the confidence. We were playing a good level but the first time something happened we had problems.
“I don’t know if it is mental. The first goal cannot happen and the second as well. After that we forget what happen, we were desperate to win and do well, we do well but don’t win games.
“The situation is what it is. We played a good game but at that level we can’t give them away.
“Right now I am not ready to think about that [need to win final three games to finish top eight]. We have to recover and prepare for the next game. If we are not able to win games like we did today it is difficult to do it.”
Pep Guardiola has reacted to the cuts and scratches on his face following Man City’s draw with Feyenoord 🤕 pic.twitter.com/gMN8ZvXFup
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 26, 2024
Manchester City defender Nathan Ake speaking to Amazon Prime: “Difficult. 3-0 up and we played quite well and were under control, but then it all changed.
“You just have to stay strong mentally. At 3-1 they then push on but I think we need to go for it a bit earlier so we could keep the pressure on them, but we stayed playing at the back and maybe invited more pressure on us.
“Then when you concede the second one there is even more pressure and then we have to stay stronger mentally.”
On if City gave the game away: “Yes I think we did. If you are 3-0 up at home you can never give it away like this. It is what it is at the moment. The only thing we can do is fight back and stay strong.”
On if the draw feels like a defeat: “When you are three goals up it feels like a defeat when you give up three goals at home. It is tough now, a tough night, but the only thing we can do is look forward to the next one. Liverpool is a big game and it is another challenge to overcome.”
On if problems are a mental issue: “Maybe it is. It is difficult to say. Obviously we have not been in this situation many times but this is where we have to show our character. When everything seems to go against us and everyone is writing us off, we have to stay strong mentally, believe in ourselves and stick together.
“Every season there is a period when they write us off. We have to make sure we stay strong as a team and staff and make sure we get out of it.”
Feyenoord boss Brian Priske speaking to Amazon Prime: “Unbelievable game and unbelievable evening facing, still for me, the best team in the world. Obviously they are struggling in some elements at the moment, even though they were leading 3-0. They gave away three key moments that we exploited at the end. Remarkable effort and mentality from our boys.
“After 3-1 I definitely felt that my boys were ready for this and then when they got the 3-2 we felt that there was maybe something in the air tonight.
On Liverpool boss Arne Slot would make of this evening: “Yes I’m sure he is proud as an ex-Feyenoord manager, I know he is following us. We definitely did everything we could to help him as well.
“He had a massive impact on our club in the last three years and definitely gave me a good start with a good team and the Champions League competition.
“I’m happy we could maybe help him but he needs to do the dirty job at the weekend.”
Here’s how fans reacted as Pep Guardiola explains the cuts and scratches to his face after Man City’s collapse to Feyenoord…
@The_Kitsman: Just an observation and a concern for the man, because he is a man, a human just like me and you, but if you’re saying you want to harm yourself because one team has scored more goals than you recently, then you have to question what’s really important in life…
@JackTurnerCFC:
Either, he’s serious, and in which case he needs help because that is concerning.
Or
He’s joking about self harm which is quite honestly vile.
@Ethanh283812: Hope pep is okay ,as its nothing to joke about imo. I genuinely do hope he’s ok
@ShifnalWolf: Not a sensible answer! Pep should be better than this
@DannyRosamond: This man needs time out from football
@AJScouser: I know Pep likes to joke around, but his comment about harming himself, even in jest, is unsettling. Mental health is a serious issue, and hearing something like that especially with visible injuries could send the wrong message. I hope he’s okay and just being sarcastic
@AmorimsDevils_: Rivalries aside. Someone needs to check Pep Guardiola’s health. Because it’s not normal or okay to cut and scratch yourself like he has. He needs a full physiatrics check for him to make sure he’s not a danger to himself
@footballqueeen: Honestly, fuck off, Pep. Wanting to ‘harm yourself’ is not something to make jokes about.
@bmtalksball: Oh yes Pep because self harm is something to joke about. Silly cunt.
@FPL_Westie: Not something to joke about tbh Pep..
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