Why did Guardiola blame momentum shift for Man City’s loss?

In Sunday’s 2-1 Premier League loss at Brighton & Hove Albion, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola blamed a momentum change for his team’s second-half collapse.

City took the lead in the 34th minute when Erling Haaland scored on his 100th Premier League appearance, but James Milner’s penalty earned a comeback in the 67th. City panicked and conceded another goal in the 89th minute to Brajan Gruda as Brighton’s intensity intensified. City manager Guardiola said we conceded a goal in the second half, losing momentum and the contest.

“We concede the goal and after that, it (the momentum) shifted,” he remarked.

It was great till then—we had chances and the team looked aggressive and exciting. We had a good hour, but the last 30 minutes were bad. We were bad because we played long balls without passing. This is it.”

Pep Guardiola was pleased for midfielder Rodri, who played the whole 90 minutes after returning from rehabilitation, but confessed that his roster adjustments last season and this year have not paid off.

“We have a really good squad and of course we changed many things from the past to now, which is normal,” he remarked.

We need the older players to help the younger ones adapt. Rodri performs well and is a great character. Happy he played 90 minutes.” After losing to Tottenham Hotspur, City is suffering.

Manchester City will play Manchester United at home after the international break before visiting Arsenal.