Pep Guardiola launches fierce defence of Man City's sticky form

Pep Guardiola launched an impassioned defence of Manchester City, blaming a torrid week squarely on injuries.

City’s players refunded the tickets of 374 supporters who travelled for a defeat at Bodo/Glimt described as ‘embarrassing’ by Erling Haaland – just days after a tepid display in losing the Manchester derby.

Guardiola has coined Saturday’s Premier League clash with Wolves as a ‘final’ and admitted surprise at the performance at Old Trafford but believes that fitness issues leave his team at a disadvantage.

City have at least seven players missing but can call upon new signings Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi, with captain Bernardo Silva available after suspension in Europe.

The manager hit out at critics of his team, who go into the weekend seven points behind leaders Arsenal, who Guardiola says are ‘the best team in the world’.

‘One week ago we were at Newcastle and won 2-0,’ Guardiola sighed. ‘I know the reason why we're struggling now, I know 100 per cent what happened with the team.

‘I know it's a disaster having 13 points in the Champions League but eight teams have 13 points - one of them world champions (Chelsea) - but it's a disaster for us.'

‘Do you know Bodo, how they play? I tell you, 4-4-2, so narrow. Where are the spaces? For the wingers? The wingers going against one and go. How many wingers we had against Bodo? Zero.

‘All I ask is to have the team back. After that, I swear, we will be there. Do you think (Jeremy) Doku would have not played in Bodo if he would have been fit? Nathan (Ake) wouldn’t have played in Bodo (would have) if he were fit? He warmed up and could not play.

‘For one day we can solve it, for two days we can solve it. But for a long time it’s unsustainable. We have five central defenders (but) if you have one available, you have one.

‘So it’s more difficult. Because I know… “how do they lose to Bodo?!” Yeah yeah. Always I admire these comments for all the people say… (they) lack respect for the opponents from Norway, but they reached the semi-finals of the Europa League last season.

‘I’m pretty sure the guys who said, “Ah how did they lose at Bodo”, they didn’t see one damn game of Bodo, and Bodo is an exceptionally top team, especially there.’

Tuesday was Bodo’s first ever Champions League victory and Haaland publicly apologised to the supporters, meaning City are relying on results elsewhere to qualify in the top eight and avoid a playoff.

Guardiola – who consistently picked the same starting XI throughout December as City hunted down Arsenal – claimed his stars are overly fatigued. Nico Gonzalez could return against Galatasaray next week but that would be considered a risk, while Savinho is still facing weeks out.

‘We struggled a little bit. Why? Because we don't have the team,’ Guardiola added. ‘So after that, it's more difficult. The only thing I ask is just this, fit, like last season. Give me the team, please. Be fit, that's all I ask. No more than that. And we don't have it.

‘When we have it, most of them, we were there - seven, eight victories in a row. When we have it, we try it. But they are fatigued, like last season we cannot rotate the teams.’