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Pep Guardiola praised Josko Gvardiol and Stefan Ortega despite their part in Manchester City throwing away a two-goal lead.
Phil Foden put the Blues 2-0 up at Brentford and on course to notch their fourth win in a row in all competitions, only for another late collapse to see them lose two points. Yoane Wissa was inexplicably left alone in the six-yard box to get the Bees back in the game, and then Christian Norgaard powered in a header in injury time after he was given too much space in the area.
City players were gutted at the final whistle and Guardiola appeared to be giving Gvardiol a lecture as he came onto the pitch after the game and also had words with Ortega. However, when asked about the incident after the game he talked up their contribution.
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“How good he played. He played an incredible game,” said Guardiola of Gvardiol. “We talked about one action but it’s the same with Ortega – I said how good he played, how good he passed to Erling, how satisfied I am with especially these two players.”
Guardiola said his players were sad to have conceded a two-goal lead but put it down to the absences they have at the back, with Ruben Dias, John Stones and Rodri all sidelined. Ilkay Gundogan was brought on for Mateo Kovacic for the final part of the game but neither are an aerial presence in the box.
“They put a lot of players there. We were not close because we were tired and after Norgaard arrived,” Guardiola said. “And our holding midfielders do not have the skills to defend these type of balls because we have another type of player right now. At the end we could not defend.
“I’m incredibly satisfied with the performance. Of course we are sad because we were close to winning and could not win but sometimes it happens.”