City Boss Refuses to Blame Goalkeeper as Hudson-Odoi’s Strike Dents Champions League Hopes
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has refused to point fingers at goalkeeper Ederson following his side’s surprising 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Callum Hudson-Odoi’s second-half strike proved decisive, handing Forest a crucial victory in their push for Champions League qualification while dealing a blow to City’s own top-five ambitions.
The goal came after Ederson was beaten at his near post, despite the Brazilian shot-stopper making a stunning save earlier in the game to deny Hudson-Odoi by tipping his effort onto the post. Guardiola, however, was quick to defend his goalkeeper, emphasizing that he never blames individual players for setbacks.
“It is what it is,” Guardiola said after the match. “I never blame a player. I prefer to praise. I never blame. I didn’t see the action, but it’s football. A good action from Hudson-Odoi, so nothing to say.”
The defeat leaves City in a precarious position in the league table. Forest, who started the game just one point and one place above City, have now opened up a four-point gap over Guardiola’s side. Meanwhile, Chelsea sit just a point behind City with a game in hand, and Newcastle are only three points adrift, adding further pressure to City’s bid for a top-five finish.
Reflecting on the match, Guardiola acknowledged his team’s struggles to break down a resolute Forest defense. “It was a tight game,” he said. “At the end, it was one transition. We missed the pass, they did a transition, and they scored the goal. We were a little bit slow in our process. We struggled to create chances, but always we give credit to the opponent because they defended really well.”
The City boss also highlighted his team’s inability to find their usual spark in the final third. “We controlled the main threat, long balls to [Chris] Wood and second balls, really good, and after that, the transitions, always we were really good, especially in the first half. Everyone was so connected, but our game was a little bit slow, and we could not connect in the final third. When we arrive in the final third, we did not have enough brilliance in our actions.”
With just 10 games remaining in the season, Guardiola knows his team must quickly rediscover their winning form. “We have to win games,” he stressed. “We have not won enough games in a row to be secure. We have ten games left, and we have to win a lot of games to qualify. It’s as simple as that.”
As City look to regroup, the focus will be on bouncing back quickly to keep their Champions League hopes alive. For Forest, however, the victory marks a significant step forward in their remarkable campaign, with Hudson-Odoi’s moment of brilliance proving the difference on a day that will live long in the memory of their fans.
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