“What happened didn’t surprise me” – Pep Guardiola reflects on Southampton loss and talks title race ahead of Manchester derby

Pep Guardiola assessed concerns amongst Manchester City’s fanbase on his side’s recent form ahead of a crucial derby meeting with Manchester United this weekend.

The Premier League champions crashed out of the Carabao Cup courtesy of a 2-0 defeat against Southampton on Wednesday, with several changes made to the Blues’ starting XI from their last league win at Stamford Bridge.

Despite a run of good form, City have delivered some unconvincing displays, individual and collective, since the return of club football following the Qatar World Cup, with Guardiola himself coming under criticism for team selections.

However, despite some recent turbulence, the Catalan made a seemingly honest admission on City’s recent struggles but doubled down on the faith he holds over his group.

Asked to reflect on a Carabao Cup quarter-final loss at St. Mary’s ahead of a trip across town on Saturday, Guardiola said: “Normal preparation for a game. City fans cannot complain what this team is able to do, have done, do and will do.

“We cannot talk on behalf of the fans, they are brilliant. I know what they think. What happened (against Southampton) didn’t surprise me – it happened.”

John Stones will remain unavailable for City after missing the midweek trip down south, with Guardiola expected to recall a host of regular first-team names against Erik ten Hag’s men.

“It happens because we do four Premier League titles in five years. Sometimes, this competition shows me in terms of consistency what we have to do,” the 51-year-old added.

“This is our strength in previous seasons. After back-to-back (Premier League titles) two times, this could happen. We are not ready to go there and be ourselves.

“(I am) not talking about winning the Carabao Cup or winning games, be ourselves. I was a little concerned it could happen, I don’t know if it will happen again.”

The road ahead doesn’t get much easier for Manchester City, who also face Tottenham, Wolves and Arsenal in the coming two weeks.

Sitting in second place in the Premier League table, City have reduced the gap to leaders Arsenal to five points ahead of the north London derby on Sunday.

“Many games to play, of course it’s a big week – we cannot deny it. We play Tottenham, many games to play,” Guardiola said.

“After Southampton, I’m not worried about the titles, it’s to recover who we are game by game. This is what we have to do, important games in the season – we were there.

“Just with the hypothetical importance against teams, the other ones we were not there. It’s normal after the results of previous seasons. We have to change it immediately.”