Manchester City’s 2 – 2 draw away to Brentford satisfied Pep Guardiola but he also had a few opinions to express.
The club is slowly coming out of a poor run of form that lasted for over two months in 2024 and are now on a five-game unbeaten run (four wins and one draw) in all competitions, more than they were able to hold in those two months.
Their latest result saw Brentford narrowly snatch a draw from the jaws of defeat after the lifeline from a brave brace from Phil Foden was wasted by the team’s defence. Late goals from Yoane Wissa and Christian Nørgaard helped the hosts to a draw to ensure that both clubs took something from the game.
Guardiola was pleased with how his team performed, especially in contrast to the way they had played in the past. However, he spoke on the need for them to be better at closing games as it was their late defensive lapses that allowed Brentford come back to a 2 – 2 draw.
“Always there are positives and negatives,” the former Barcelona manager began. “We are happy for many things we have done but I would say it has not been enough.
“Up front the people create a lot. Since Brentford have been promoted to the Premier League, always they are really good in set-pieces, long balls and they are so quick.
“In general, the team played good with composure, incredible effort from many players to play in different positions.
“The last minutes we didn’t manage well at 2-0, but after 2-1 we managed well, sometimes that happens,” he added.
“[James] McAtee must shoot this action but imagine he doesn’t shoot and makes an extra pass and maybe the game would finish there but he has to shoot to score.
“Savinho had an action to pass to Erling and he’s one against one. Today we didn’t take the right decision in the final third.
“Long balls we won and we could run and in that moment we didn’t take the right decisions. Matheus [Nunes] in the first half, Savinho once or twice, Erling once or twice. Phil with a bit more composure would attack more the opponent and attack more the goalkeeper.
“Maybe that would have been different but at the same time they had chances. Their strikers are really good, Wissa and Mbeumo are really dangerous.
“Brentford have always been a really tough opponent because they are an honest team and I like the way they play but today we created a lot.
“At 2-0 we have to close it but we don’t have those specific players to defend in the box so we have to do it by controlling the ball.
“The fatigue against Brentford in the last 15 minutes is normal. I don’t have anything to regret. Recover and go to the next game.”
