Pep Guardiola questions “risky” Manchester City decision during Leicester win

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has vowed to “learn” from his decision to make a swathe of personnel changes during Saturday’s 3-1 win over Leicester City at the Etihad Stadium.

The Blues raced into a 3-0 lead against Leicester City on Saturday evening as Manchester City reduced the deficit between themselves and current league leaders Arsenal for a second successive weekend.

Pep Guardiola’s side, who have played one game less than the Gunners, are now just four points behind the North London club, with a crunch clash against Arsenal being City’s next Premier League fixture.

City are on a ten-game winning streak in all competitions having extended their incredible run of results with a win over the Foxes this weekend.

John Stones opened the scoring with a smart half-volley before a brace from Erling Haaland, who became the joint top goalscorer for a single Premier League season with two quick-fire goals.

The Norwegian was one of five players to be taken off by Guardiola, as the Catalan made five changes ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final second-leg at the Allianz Arena against Bayern Munich.

Stones, Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri and Jack Grealish were also replaced, with the decision almost backfiring as the Blues came under intense pressure from a rejuvenated Leicester team.

Former City player Kelechi Iheanacho scored in the 75th minute, while the Nigerian also hit the post and James Maddison saw his effort saved by goalkeeper Ederson.

City hung on to secure an important three points but Guardiola has vowed to be more “careful” in future when choosing to make a series of significant changes in personnel.

“Maybe I did too much early, and I have to be careful,” said the City manager.

“There are so important players that everybody knows, it’s not necessary to be a manager to say how many players – for the minutes they have, the influence – are so important.

“But of course, when the result is a little bit comfortable, it was not decisive, always I learnt this lesson, today.

“Maybe I did too much early, and I have to be careful because football here in the Premier League and everywhere, always things can happen.

“And of course, when the game is more or less, or I have the feeling – you can have a game, for example, 2-0 with 20 minutes, and you have the feeling during the game that nothing can happen.

“There are games when we are 3-0 with 10 minutes left, and a lot of things can happen against you. That’s why I have to learn a little bit on that because at the end, you have to admit it – the game was risky at the end. Football; everything can happen.”

Guardiola also citied his reasoning for making all five changes, with the Blues preparing for key games across three competitions, including next Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Sheffield United.

“Game by game. Now I know, more or less, the next game what we’re going to do.

“And after the FA Cup (semi-final), we are going to see how was the game in Munich; victory, defeat, how demanding it was or not, are Arsenal still the same.

“Of course, Arsenal have fresh legs and minds from one game a week in that term. But at the same time we love it to be here, and everyone is going to do his contribution.”