Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has offered insight into his team’s 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in Saturday’s Premier League clash.
City were undone by goals from Brennan Johnson and João Palhinha, as Spurs secured all three points at the Etihad Stadium.
In his post-match interview, Guardiola pointed to his side’s inability to cope with Tottenham’s high pressing and marking, particularly after conceding.
“We start well. We concede a goal that could happen. The simple things, we miss the simple things with the ball,” Guardiola told TNT Sports.
Reflecting further on the performance, Guardiola admitted that despite City’s individual quality, the team struggled with the basics — especially in possession.
“We lost with the quality we have, individually the simple things with the ball we miss it. That is why in transitions and of course they score the second at the end of the first half it was difficult.
“We had chances but we didn’t react well with the marking and the pressing. We knew it. Because Thomas does it and it happens,” he said.
