Manuel Akanji reveals Pep Guardiola’s message to struggling Man City stars

ETIHAD STADIUM, MANCHESTER — Pep Guardiola has provided phrases of encouragement to his Manchester Metropolis gamers after the 1-1 Boxing Day draw towards Everton meant their startling type stoop now stands at one win in 13 matches.

Bernardo Silva’s 14th-minute opener was cancelled out by Iliman Ndiaye’s intelligent end earlier than halftime and Metropolis’s confidence struggles had been once more laid naked after Erling Haaland had a penalty saved by Jordan Pickford early within the second interval.

Akanji was partly culpable for Ndiaye’s objective as he and Rico Lewis failed to chop out Abdoulaye Doucoure’s cross however in any other case put in a usually assured efficiency at centre-back alongside the returning Nathan Ake.

The pressure on Metropolis’s defenders within the damage absence of midfield lynchpin Rodri was as soon as once more achingly obvious, even towards Everton’s restricted attacking risk, however Akanji insists Guardiola and his gamers stay dedicated to the strategies that secured a file fourth consecutive Premier League title final season.

What Pep Guardiola instructed Man Metropolis gamers after Everton draw

“He stated we performed nicely,” the Switzerland worldwide instructed reporters. “We have to carry on working. There’s nothing else we are able to do in the mean time. 

“What do you count on us to do? Change system? Play different gamers? We’re attempting every thing and we performed rather well [against Everton], it simply did not flip our manner.”

Guardiola’s mantra is in keeping with Akanji’s personal pondering.

A steal of a signing from Borussia Dortmund for £15m in the direction of the tip of the summer time 2022 window, the 29-year-old has been a pivotal a part of Metropolis profitable six main trophies over the next interval. 

Outgoing director of soccer Txiki Begiristain and Guardiola have to uncover a few related gems this January — signings who instantly again themselves and thrive inside the demanding atmosphere of the Metropolis Soccer Academy.

“I all the time change some issues,” Akanji stated, discussing how he has personally met with this troubling run of collective type.

“There are issues that really feel good to me proper now however I am additionally not that man who modifications every thing when issues go unsuitable that I believed in earlier than.

“We as a group had been in a position to play this manner earlier than and generally you will have a nasty run and issues do not go your manner so it is good to have a look at issues that are not figuring out that nicely proper now, however you should not be on the level the place you are altering every thing as a result of not every thing was good earlier than and never every thing is unhealthy now. 

“I nonetheless imagine that we are going to come again to the best way we used to play — it’ll come ultimately.”

Which Man Metropolis gamers are injured?

An easing of Metropolis’s damage scenario would definitely assist issues to come back round sooner.

Akanji and Ake have every frolicked on the sidelines through the downturn and began towards Everton as a result of Ruben Dias and John Stones had been each sidelined with recurrences of their very own health woes.

Final season’s FA Youth Cup-winning captain Jahmai Simpson-Pusey changed Ake through the closing phases on Boxing Day to protect the Dutchman’s fragile health.

Captain Kyle Walker was laid low by sickness, Jack Grealish and Matheus Nunes missed out by means of damage and Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne had been solely match sufficient for transient cameos off a bench crammed out with children.

“It is actually troublesome,” Akanji stated after goalkeeper Ederson additionally missed the Everton recreation alongside long-term absentees Rodri and Oscar Bobb. 

“Everyone needs to remain match, no person needs to be injured however crucial factor is that gamers which are wholesome want to remain wholesome but it surely’s not all the time that simple if you play so many matches a 12 months and you do not actually have time to get well. 

“I’ve pals of mine [in the Bundesliga] who’re on holidays now recovering for the second a part of the season. We do not have that.

“We have to attempt to discover a manner that these gamers enjoying now keep wholesome in order that we are able to get the opposite guys again and rotate a bit extra and relaxation people who have to relaxation.”

Guardiola’s facet return to motion on December 29 with a visit to face Leicester Metropolis.