Man City were ‘running too much’, says Pep Guardiola after upturn in form

Spaniard’s side could narrow the gap to rivals and league leaders Manchester United by beating Brighton

(AFP via Getty Images)

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola said his team’s recent improvement in form is down to his players realising how to control games without “running too much”.

City lacked consistency at the start of the term but have turned things around with a six-match win streak in all competitions, marking the club’s longest winning run of the campaign.

Victory over Brighton at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night would move City to within four points of leaders and rivals Man United with a game in hand.

“The only difference is that we run less,” said Guardiola.

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“We were running too much. When you play football you have to walk, or run much, much less.

“Without the ball you have to run. But with the ball you stay more in the position and let the ball run, not you. And we improved in these games in these terms.”

City’s 24 goals in 15 games is the fewest of any of the top nine this season. But since their 1-1 draw with West Brom on 15 December they have scored 15 in their last six games in all competitions.

“We lost it a bit this season, that was my fault, the message was not clear, but we came back a little bit to the principles,” said Guardiola.

“It is normal that after good results and performances the people visualise again that we can do it again in the way we did it in the past. And that is the way we have to continue.”

Reuters