Pep Guardiola was pleased with Manchester City’s performance despite their heavy loss to Sporting Lisbon.
Guardiola’s side suffered a 4-1 loss to the Portuguese side in a UEFA Champions League clash in Lisbon on Tuesday.
Viktor Gyökeres’ hat-trick helped Sporting come from behind to impose a first defeat in 27 Champions League matches on Manchester City. Phil Foden’s strike had given the English champions an early lead before Geovany Quenda found Gyökeres for the equaliser.
The hosts scored twice in quick succession at the start of the second half, Maximiliano Araújo finishing off a well-worked team goal straight from kick-off before Gyökeres converted a penalty.
Erling Haaland hit the crossbar from another penalty before Gyökeres converted his second spot kick of the evening to wrap up a memorable final home game in charge for outgoing coach Rúben Amorim.
“It is a tough challenge, but I am here. It will be a tough season – we knew that from the start. But this is what it is. I like it, I love it, I want to face it and lift my players and try it,” Guardiola told the club’s media.
“Life is like this. Maybe in the past six Premier Leagues in seven years and four in a row is an exception. Sometimes you lose.
“Today we were really good – Bournemouth, no, they deserve it. We played badly against Bournemouth and played really good today.
“I know how we behave today, how good we were, and how a young central defender [Jahmai Simpson-Pusey], what an exceptional game he played,” he added.
“When you lose 4-1 what can I say? My team I like it, we were close to making it 0-3.
“The stadium was calm but in one action we lost simple things with quality players and things that normally don’t happen. When you are so close to going 0-2 and then 1-3, it’s difficult for the players, I understand it.
“I have to try and find an explanation. Sometimes it is just football.
“We have to accept it. Life is that, and sport is that. Everyone has to be better and better and better and we will find it.
“We are alive in all competitions, and we will continue,” concluded Guardiola.
