Pep Guardiola Reveals Key ‘Little Factors’ Impacting Man City’s Performance Ahead of PSG Clash

Pep Guardiola watched in frustration as his Manchester City team suffered another defeat, this time 2-1 at Aston Villa. The four-time reigning Premier League champions are struggling, having won just one of their last 12 games in all competitions.

City fell behind early to Jhon Durán’s goal after a rough start, and despite creating a few chances, they never looked solid at the back. Villa looked dangerous on the counter, and Morgan Rogers sealed the win in the second half.

The Sky Blues have a month to snap out of their poor form as they’ll be facing Paris Saint-Germain on January 22nd on Matchday 7 of the UEFA Champions League’s league phase.

Pep Guardiola discusses why his team is in poor form

Following the loss to Aston Villa, the BBC asked Guardiola if there were any deeper reasons behind Manchester City’s poor results, aside from injuries.

“Of course there are more reasons,” Guardiola said (h/t NBC Sports). “We concede the goals we don’t concede in the past, we [don’t] score the goals we score in the past. Football is not just one reason. There are a lot of little factors.

“Aston Villa are a team that are doing well in the Champions League, Premier League as well. It is a tough place to come. Last season we won the Premier League, but we came here and lost. We have to think positive and I have incredible trust in the guys. Some of them have incredible pride and desire to do it. We have to find a way, step by step, sooner or later to find a way back.”

PSG will face RC Lens on Sunday in the Coupe de France Round of 64 to end 2024. After this match, the Parisians will face AS Monaco in the Trophée des Champions to start 2025. Then they’ll have two Ligue 1 matches against Lens and AS Saint-Étienne before welcoming Manchester City to the Parc des Princes.