Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola post-match interview after City’s 2-1 loss to Bournemouth due to injuries

Manchester City had a difficult time on Sunday afternoon as injuries and squad fatigue caught up with them in a 2-1 loss to Bournemouth. The defeat left the Premier League champions in second place, after Liverpool، who defeated Brighton on the same day. Manager Pep Guardiola said that after the loss of key players such as Rodri, John Stones, and Ruben Dias, City was always going to find it difficult to deal with the fast and aggressive Bournemouth side.

It has been a worry for City’s managers in terms of injuries as they prepare for the winter period, with Rodri ruled out for the rest of the season and questions are raised over Stones and Dias. Bournemouth took advantage of this and going forward, Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson put Bournemouth in a comfortable 2-0 lead. Josko Gvardiol scored a consolation goal for City but the team could not get an equalizing goal and the home fans were left disappointed while the Bournemouth players and fans rejoiced a special victory.

“We wanted to press them but they were too good for us and we knew we couldn’t match the intensity,” Guardiola said after the match. We had talked about it, but Bournemouth were passionate, they were winning personal battles, winning the tackles, the second balls. They only had six, seven days to prepare for the game and they made the best out of it.” Guardiola also acknowledged the concern of coming up against a physical and a fast team like Bournemouth. “They had physicality and speed; you have to be ready for that, but we couldn’t quite match it today.”

The City boss agreed that fitness problems had made it a big problem to organize his side since he had players who had played many minutes on the field and those who had had little playing time. “It’s an uncomfortable balance,” he said. ‘We were decent against Spurs but today we couldn't deal with the physicality of Bournemouth and that’s why we were beaten.’

City fans are unhappy with the result as their side fails to reclaim the top spot in an enthralling Premier League campaign. However, for the Bournemouth fans, it was a day to be proud of, as their team performed well and rightfully won the match. City will be looking to get back to winning ways and the fans who want to be part of the upcoming games can visit 1BoxOffice to book Manchester City tickets and support their team.