You risk missing out on a long-awaited victory for Pep on Boxing Day (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The Manchester City squad will lie down at their training facilities at the Etihad Campus on Christmas Eve in a bid to end their terrifying slump, as Pep Guardiola remains determined not to disrupt their pre-season rituals -match despite the holiday season. The Blues, who host Everton in an early 12:30 kick-off on Boxing Day, are looking to turn around a dismal spell of form which has seen them pick up just one win in their last 12 matches in all competitions .
City's squad usually goes to bed the night before a home game, and it's business as usual for Guardiola. City's talents enjoyed the Christmas morning festivities with their families, quickly switching gears to reconvene for training in the evening and then heading to campus for the night.
“We train today (Tuesday), we train tomorrow (Wednesday) evening, we will stay here and we will play on Boxing Day,” Guardiola said. Asked whether his players wouldn't enjoy spending Christmas on the training ground, Guardiola snapped: “I hope they want to be here, because that's our job.”
Saturday's discontent continued with a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, precipitating City's astonishing fall to SEVENTH place in the Premier League table – a considerable departure from their familiar position as champions of the last four seasons .
Trailing leaders Liverpool by a colossal 12 points, and now surprisingly overwhelmed by Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth, Guardiola's men must quickly focus on salvaging their campaign and clinching a place in the European competition for the year future. At the same time, the club remains besieged by the specter of 115 accusations which still await examination in court.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (right) and Erling Haaland after the Premier League match at Villa Park, Birmingham. Photo date: Saturday December 21, 2024. PA photo. See PA Story SOCCER Villa. Photo credit should read: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Use in online matches limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Image: PA)
Given their poor performances, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss admitted: “This situation is new for all of us. It's about us, everyone. The guys are running and trying more than ever .”
He also refuted the criticism, saying: “People say we don't run, we don't fight, it's this player, this manager – it's not about that. It's about many small details or big details that make us less good than before.”
“But we have another opportunity on Boxing Day. We have players coming back and at some point we will be better.”
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1992982/Man-City-Pep-Guardiola