by Pep Guardiola said he did not intend to ‘shed light on the very serious issue of self-harm’ when responding to a question about a cut he made to his nose during Manchester City’s 3-3 draw against Feyenoord.
Guardiola was asked about the cut after City blew a three-goal lead in Tuesday’s Champions League match and said: “From my finger… with my nail. I want to hurt myself. He then laughed and got up from his chair to leave the press conference.
Related: Guardiola worries City ‘fragile’ after losing 3-0 in last 15 minutes
On Wednesday, the manager released a statement on social media. “I was caught off guard by a question at the end of a press conference last night about a scratch that appeared on my face and I explained that a sharp fingernail had accidentally caused it,” he said. he declared. “My response was in no way intended to make light of the very serious issue of self-harm.
“I know many people struggle with mental health issues every day, and I would like to take this moment to highlight one of the ways people can seek help, by calling the Samaritans hotline at 116 123 or by sending an e-mail to jo@samaritans.org. »
City’s collapse against Feyenoord after going 3-0 up in the 73rd minute followed a run of five defeats and prompted a baffled Ilkay Gündogan to describe the team’s form as “inexplicable”.
A brace from Erling Haaland and a goal from Gündogan put Guardiola’s side in control. But two passing errors from Josko Gvardiol and an ill-advised clearance from Ederson allowed Anis Hadj Moussa, Santiago Giménez and David Hancko to score for the visitors and salvage the draw, with the equalizer coming a minute from time regulation time.
Gündogan said: “I think the goals we conceded are inexplicable, considering the way we conceded them. We only have ourselves to blame. The situation, I don’t know, the way things are evolving at the moment, it’s a little inexplicable.
“Sometimes you will struggle in certain matches, regardless of the opponent. Even when you play at home against a team you should dominate, you will concede chances because every team is good enough at the moment to create something. But then 75 minutes, 3-0 and controlling the game, then ugh, betraying him so easily. They were also ruthless. It’s probably more our fault, but they just punished us in every situation, scoring three goals. Obviously, this is very difficult to accept.
City are 15th in the 36-team Champions League standings on eight points, with three games remaining but half the teams have a game in hand on Wednesday night. Finishing in the top eight guarantees a spot in the final 16 and the next 16 teams will make the playoffs.
Guardiola’s side travel to Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday, aware that if they lose, Arne Slot’s leaders will be 11 points ahead of them.
