Manchester City have now lost back-to-back games after their reverse at Brighton on Sunday with star man Rodri admitting they’re miles off the team they once were
Manchester City ace Rodri admits that his side have not been at the level they used to be for «a long, long time» following their second loss in their opening three Premier League games.
Pep Guardiola’s side have just three points from a possible nine after losing at Brighton on Sunday afternoon. City were ahead at half-time but backed by their loss at the hands of Tottenham by going down once again, this time at the Amex.
The Manchester outfit were miles off the pace last term as their run of four successive titles came to an end. Rodri’s injury, which ruled him out for much of the season, was a major reason behind their huge decline.
Many thought Rodri’s return would see Guardiola’s side return to their sensational best, but that has not been the case and their Spaniard star concedes they have been miles off top gear for some time.
He told Sky Sports: «Disappointed because we are Manchester City and we come here to win, but this is the reality. We are not at the level for a long, long time. The only way to come back is to look to ourselves. We started well but the second half we dropped a little bit. Then at home they have pressure and we make two mistakes and it’s 2-1.»
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City lost the game late on as Brajan Gruda came off the bench to score an 89th minute winner for the Seagulls, despite the visitors being hugely dominant in the first-half. Guardiola invested in a number of new faces as his side looked to reach their previous level.
The likes of Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders were signed in an effort to revive the team’s fortunes, but Rodri still believes they are missing the ability to go up a level with the new arrivals still needing to adapt to the demands that come with playing under Guardiola.
Rodri claimed: «We are missing the level. I don’t know, call it how you want. It is a matter of the team and the changes, new players have to adapt, and of course when you change the team that much it is difficult. This is our reality, it is not for excuses and we have to see this is not the way to achieve things. let’s go to the break and refresh the mind.»
Guardiola was scathing in the manner that City finished the game as they let their lead slip. «In the last half an hour we were not good,» he said. «We forgot to pass the ball, to play. Just long balls. With that we are not good enough. It is what it is.”
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