Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has delivered a startling admission about his squad's confidence levels, revealing he has more faith in some players than they have in themselves.
A Lesson in Confidence
The City boss faced criticism earlier this week after making ten changes to his starting lineup for their Champions League defeat against Bayer Leverkusen. Guardiola shouldered responsibility for the loss but suggested deeper issues within his squad.
'I had a lot of confidence in them and I still have it,' Guardiola stated. 'I give great value to what they are as footballers. Perhaps I think more of them than they think of themselves.'
The Catalan manager observed that some players appeared to be 'playing too safe' and effectively 'hiding' during the match, rather than expressing themselves on the pitch.
Facing the Premier League Challenge
City's immediate concern turns to domestic matters as they prepare to host Leeds United on Saturday, with the champions sitting seven points behind league leaders Arsenal. The situation is complicated by the continued absence of key midfielder Rodri, who has managed just one minute of football since early October due to a hamstring injury.
Guardiola emphasised the importance of performance over results, though acknowledged the growing pressure. 'We know the competitions are tough,' he said. 'It's not about one result, but about the performance.'
The manager expressed particular disappointment with the Leverkusen defeat, attributing it to his team selection and lack of effort. 'Leverkusen, yes, because of my decisions and because we didn't try, it's that simple,' he admitted.
Looking Ahead
Despite recent setbacks, Guardiola remains focused on the long-term improvement of his team. 'I know the gap is already there and Arsenal are very strong,' he acknowledged. 'You start to see how you are improving as a team and we'll see.'
The City boss concluded with a message of cautious optimism, suggesting that when surrounded by their regular teammates, the fringe players would demonstrate their true quality. However, his frank assessment of the confidence issues within his squad provides a revealing insight into the challenges facing the Premier League champions.
