Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola joked he wanted to “harm himself” after concerning scratches and blood was noticed on his face.
The Spanish coach’s woes deepened on Tuesday night as City’s winless streak continued against Feyenoord in a spectacular collapse. Despite five previous losses in a row, the Premier League champions seemed poised for a win as they surged into a 3-0 lead against the Dutch team.
But they shockingly fell apart in the final 15 minutes, conceding three goals without reply including a late equaliser, resulting in a draw. Post-match, the under pressure boss could be seen to have a cut on his nose and other scratch marks on his head.
READ MORE: Shamed ref David Coote engulfed by FA betting probe over yellow card claims
READ MORE: Ruben Amorim’s first Man Utd team hints at uncertain future for £108m stars
When quizzed by reporters about the worrying injuries, he suggested it was a self-inflicted accident and humorously stated he wanted to hurt himself. Guardiola said: “My finger, here [points to nose]. My nail. I want to harm myself.”
A journalist tried to comfort the Spaniard as he exited the press conference, saying “It will be okay,” reports the Mirror.
(Image: YouTube/TNT Sports)
Things aren’t expected to get any easier for City this weekend as they face league leaders and arch-rivals Liverpool at Anfield. Guardiola emphasised his determination to get his team back on track ahead of their journey to Merseyside.
He further commented: “Three episodes didn’t allow us to win, what we needed. For many, many reasons, not just for the terms of qualification and get the points to go through. Other reasons.”
Guardiola was left to rue missed opportunities and defensive lapses as City fell short in a thrilling encounter. The City boss reflected on the match, saying: “It’s what it is. So difficult to swallow right now.
(Image: YouTube/TNT Sports)
Don’t miss a thing with football updates!
Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news? Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star Football email newsletter!
From the latest transfer news to breaking stories, get it all in your email inbox.
How do you sign up?
It only takes a matter of seconds.
Simply click on this link, then provide your email address and that’s it, job done. You’ll receive an email with all of the top football stories.
You can also sign up for our sport email, Off the Ball, for all the latest darts, boxing, snooker, F1 stories and more, right here
“The game was good. We scored three, we could have scored more, we do everything but at the end, we give away especially the first one and after we are not stable enough to do it.”
He added: “It’s not about not running, no commitment, nothing like that but in football, you have to do it in certain moments. The second goal, the second post, touch the post. Improve, what can you do? So rest one or two days and prepare for Anfield.”
When asked how he plans to lift his squad, Guardiola responded: “We have to, I have to, it’s my job. We play a good game but of course we need to do it and we were not able to control the last minutes.”