‘Pep is stressed, man’ – Man City boss spotted with fresh scratches on head

PEP GUARDIOLA has again been spotted with what appears to be more scratches on his head.

The Manchester City boss, 54, watched his side surrender a late 2-1 lead to lose 3-2 to Real Madrid at the Etihad.

City's last-gasp defeat leaves them with an uphill battle in the Spanish capital next week.

Earlier this season, Guardiola sported several cuts on his head after City gave up a 3-0 lead to Feyenoord in the Champions League.

He went on to say "I want to harm myself" before issuing an apology for the joke, claiming that he did not intend to make light of self-harming with his words.

Guardiola again wore scratches on his head during City's clash with Club Brugge last month.

Posting a picture of the City boss this evening, a fan on social media wrote: "Pep is stressed man."

The reigning Premier League champions had begun the night by poking fun at Vinicius Jr's Ballon d'Or snub, with fans holding up a tifo of Rodri lifting the trophy alongside the message "Stop crying your heart out".

City then took the lead on 19 minutes, after a lengthy VAR check deemed Erling Haaland to have been onside from Josko Gvardiol's knock down.

Kylian Mbappe went on to level in fortuitous fashion, with his shinned volley beating Ederson.

Haaland restored City's lead from the penalty spot after substitute Phil Foden was brought down in the box.

But City old boy Brahim Diaz equalised in the 86th minute, before Jude Bellingham broke home fans' hearts with a stoppage time winner, with both goals a result of gaffes from the hosts.

Speaking after the game, Pep said: "Many times it happen this season. I know the quality of Real Madrid. We started the game really well in the first ten minutes and took it to them. 

"In the second half we tried to attack too quickly. 

"Sometimes it is not the best performance compared to the ones we had in the last three seasons but it happens because they [Real Madrid] are an exceptional team.

"It happens many times this season. We gave away what we had."

Asked if the lapses were a result of something mental, he added: "Bad decisions, that's all."

A distraught John Stones struggled to explain the collapse afterwards.

He told Prime Video: "A few games after the Arsenal one, I don't know how to put it into words straight away, it's so raw and frustrating for everyone.

"We were in the game until so late and then it's two situations that happen and we concede. It's frustrating as a defender to come away with that result.

"It's a feeling of anger and frustration.

"We need to see games out better. The manager said we need to take accountability for what we do on the pitch, I think we do that. We need to step up when these bad moments happen.

"Today we had a great opportunity to go to the Bernabeu with a 2-1 lead. It's not done. We have to stay positive, which is difficult now.

"As the manager says we need to look at ourselves and take accountability.

"We were right on top at the start of the game and we know Real have quality to come out in the second half. It is avoidable from us as the eleven on the pitch. We have to do better - it's as simple as that.

"We have to keep a positive mentality and try to put it right."

City will face Real Madrid again in the second leg next Wednesday.

In the meantime, they will host Newcastle in the Premier League this Saturday.