Silva concedes Man City 'in a dark place' as Guardiola vows 'I'm not giving up'

By Sports Desk November 06, 2024

Bernardo Silva acknowledged Manchester City are "in a dark place right now" following their disappointing 4-1 defeat at Sporting CP.

Viktor Gyokeres' hat-trick inspired the Primeira Liga leaders to a commanding victory at Estadio Jose Alvalade, where Ruben Amorim was overseeing his final home game before taking over the reins at Manchester United on November 11.

Injury-hit City, who were without the likes of Rodri, Jack Grealish, Ruben Dias and John Stones, have now suffered three successive defeats in a season for the first time since April 2018.

Having been knocked out of the EFL Cup by Tottenham, the Citizens also saw their 32-match unbeaten run in the Premier League ended by a 2-1 loss at Bournemouth on Saturday.

And Silva knows he and his team-mates must address the slump quickly.

"At the beginning of the second half, we just gave them too many opportunities to be there and to score goals," the City winger said.

"[It's] disappointing because we're a bit in a dark place right now, and everything looks to be going the wrong way - even when we play well.

"Definitely, we need to look inside, check what we're not doing well and start being better very quickly. Otherwise, it will be difficult to come back from these losses.

"It's football, it's difficult to find reasons for what's happening right now to us.

"Obviously, we need to do better. Our injured players need to come back because we need them. It's just not good enough at the minute."

Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola insists he is "not giving up" with the Spaniard relishing the opportunity to put things right.

"It is a tough challenge, but I am here," the head coach added. "It will be a tough season - we knew that from the start. But this is what it is. I like it, I love it, I want to face it and lift my players.

"I have to try and find an explanation. Sometimes, it is just football. We have to accept it. Life is that, sport is that. Sometimes, we have bad moments, but we face the reality.

"Everyone has to try to be better. We are still alive in all competitions, and we continue. I am not giving up."

Related items

  • Motta: Juventus 'deserved more' from Lille stalemate Motta: Juventus 'deserved more' from Lille stalemate

    Thiago Motta feels Juventus "deserved more" against Lille, insisting "I cannot be happy" with the 1-1 draw in the Champions League.

    The spoils were shared at Stade Pierre Mauroy, where a second-half Dusan Vlahovic penalty cancelled out Jonathan David's opener in the 27th minute.

    Juve responded well to falling behind, controlling large periods of the contest after the break, but were unable to turn their superiority into a winning goal.

    That moved the Bianconeri onto seven points after four games, though Motta believes their tally should be greater.

    "I'm happy with the players, but I cannot be happy with the result, we deserved more than a draw," he said.

    "We faced a team who were well-organised, defended very well and who were ready to hurt us on the break. Lille know what they are doing, they are full of confidence at the moment. But it was a great performance from my lads.

    "We certainly could've done better in the final third, though the quality of our football improved in the second half.

    "We wanted a different result and created the opportunities to get that, but I am happy with the performance. We can improve certain things but, overall, I am satisfied with the way the team played."

    Motta also praised the performances of Francisco Conceicao and Kenan Yildiz, with the pair carrying some of Juventus' greater threats down the wings.

    "The two wingers who started were in good form, we knew that we would have to go down the flanks to break Lille down," the Bianconeri coach added.

    "It was tough for us to push through the middle today because Lille were closing up all the spaces, so we had to attack wide with the wingers, and also the full-backs overlapping.

    "Kenan and Francisco are very good at taking men on in one-on-one situations to break down teams that are clammed up.

    "I really liked them in the second half, as they were in the right zones to accept the ball, and I am glad about what they both did."

  • Reggae Girlz keeper Becky Spencer signs new Tottenham Hotspur deal aiming to make a lasting impact Reggae Girlz keeper Becky Spencer signs new Tottenham Hotspur deal aiming to make a lasting impact

    Reggae Girlz goalkeeper Becky Spencer is set to remain with Tottenham Hotspur Women until 2026, after signing a new contract that will see her continue her contributions both on and off the pitch. Spencer, who joined Spurs from West Ham United in 2019, has been instrumental in the club's journey through the Women's Super League (WSL) and is looking forward to extending her legacy.

    The 33-year-old Jamaican international, who has already featured in Tottenham’s first six games of the current WSL season, is thrilled to extend her stay. "I'm over the moon," Spencer shared with SPURSPLAY. "Having been here for a long time now, it was important for me to get this done. It’s amazing that the club wants to keep me here, and I'm really, really happy."

    Spencer reflected on her time at Tottenham, recalling the club’s early days in the WSL. "When I first joined, we had just been promoted to the WSL, and the journey has been incredible. We’ve come a long way, and I’m excited to keep moving forward with the team," she said.

    Over an 18-year career, Spencer has gained extensive experience in both England and the United States. Through highs and lows, including injuries and team transitions, she’s become a seasoned WSL veteran. Now approaching her 100th appearance for Tottenham, Spencer highlighted the special moments that have defined her time at the club, recalling her debut game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. "That first game against Chelsea was huge for us—just one-nil down and competing against top teams showed everyone we had arrived," she reminisced.

    As she enters her sixth season with Tottenham, Spencer is committed to guiding younger players and helping the club grow. "Throughout my career, I’ve wanted to leave every club in a better place than I found it," she added. "I hope to be a mentor and make an impact off the pitch as well, so that when my time here ends, I can leave feeling proud of what we’ve achieved."

    With Spencer’s leadership, Tottenham Hotspur Women look forward to building on last season's top-six finish and pushing even further in the competitive landscape of the WSL. For Spencer, the new deal is more than just an extension—it's a commitment to shaping the future of the club and ensuring its growth, both now and beyond her playing days.

     

  • 'A very important win' - Sahin relieved after Dortmund scrape past Sturm Graz 'A very important win' - Sahin relieved after Dortmund scrape past Sturm Graz

    Nuri Sahin lauded "a very important win" for Borussia Dortmund, after Donyell Malen's late strike sealed a narrow 1-0 victory over Sturm Graz.

    Last year's Champions League finalists claimed their third win from four matches in this season's competition, with substitute Malen securing all three points with five minutes remaining.

    The Netherlands international executed a neat one-two with Serhou Guirassy to put Dortmund fourth in the league table on nine points.

    And though they left it late, Sahin felt his side were worthy of their victory.

    "A very important win," he told reporters during his post-match press conference. "It was a deserved win, even if we scored late. We controlled the game for the most time.

    "We stayed clear. I thought it would happen earlier [the goal]. But even though we scored a late goal, it's nine points for us so far."

    Meanwhile, Sturm Graz are left rooted to the foot of the table, and still seeking their first points of the competition.

    "In my opinion, we had the better opportunities in the phase before they scored," coach Christian Ilzer said.

    "But then the goal was scored and we were left empty-handed. That's very annoying. But we have to take the lead in a game like this."

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.