Guardiola demands commitment from Man City players after losing run

Pep Guardiola says Manchester City's players must fully commit to the club's cause if they want to end their poor run against Feyenoord.

City's losing streak stretched to five games as Tottenham stunned the Premier League champions with a 4-0 win at the Etihad on Saturday. This was the first time Guardiola had lost five games in a row in his managerial career.

It is also the first time that the club has lost five games in a row in all competitions since April 2006. In fact, City are the first reigning top-flight champions to lose five games in a row in all competitions since Chelsea in March 1956.

Their campaign has been hampered by a spate of injuries, with Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, Ruben Dias, Mateo Kovacic, Jeremy Doku and Oscar Bobb currently on the sidelines.

Guardiola, who signed a two-year contract extension with City last week, has guided them to 18 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and a Champions League crown, and urged the team to stick to their philosophy .

“Look where we have come from. It is so difficult to defend the success we have had, that is why I am so relaxed. That is why I want the commitment, the commitment, the commitment and the commitment,” Guardiola told reporters. on Monday.

“Just being ourselves is not enough, we have to show commitment every day.

“Just because this team has won a lot, a lot, for many, many, many years. I think in this situation we have to go straight to our principles and change less than ever.

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“We are creating a lot of chances. We are not winning the games. We have to run backwards because our first central defenders are not there. Rodri is not there.

“Normally we play with four central defenders, but we have injuries, we had to play [Ilkay] Gundogan, our best attacking midfielder, as a defensive midfielder due to injuries… What should we do? Persevere. If not Tuesday, then next Sunday. If not, then the next match. We'll keep trying.”

City are currently eight points behind leaders Liverpool, who they face in the Premier League on Sunday. Guardiola said his side is not currently ready to win the league, but stressed that this phase will pass.

“We have to win one match. I want the players to perform well. We need more focus in certain departments. That will pass. Tomorrow it will rain, life goes on,” he added.

City are 10th in the 36-team Champions League table with seven points from four games, two points short of the automatic qualification places. Feyenoord is one point behind in 21st place.

After their opening match in the competition, Guardiola's side recorded big wins over Slovan Bratislava and Sparta Prague before falling to Sporting CP in their most recent outing.

Asked how he plans to change City's shape, the Spaniard said: “Prepare for the next game, try to beat them, and that's Feyenoord. I don't know any other way.”

“It's the same as winning seven games in a row? What do I have to change? Impossible. The players have played a lot of minutes, we have players who are injured. It's unusual.”