Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola joked that he cut his face with his fingernail because he wanted to ‘hurt himself’ during his side’s dramatic 3-3 Champions League draw with Feyenoord on Tuesday night.
The Spaniard’s side went into the game hoping to return to winning ways, having lost their previous five matches across all competitions.
For a while, it seemed as though City would secure all three points.
A brace from Erling Haaland and effort from Ilkay Gundogan seemingly had them cruising towards a vital Champions League win.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola was left frustrated after his side’s failure to beat Feyenoord in the Champions League on Tuesday night
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Yet Feyenoord scored three times in the final 16 minutes, with Anis Hadj-Moussa, Santiago Gimenez and David Hancko all finding the net.
Appearing in his post-match press conference, Guardiola was seen sporting a small cut to his nose.
And the Spaniard, when asked how he got it, implied it was due to stress.
“Yes, it’s from my nail on my finger,” he said.
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“I cut myself with my fingernail (during the game). I want to hurt myself.”
City have arguably been the best team in Europe over the past eight years, ever since Guardiola took over from Manuel Pellegrini in 2016.
They are, however, currently a shadow of the side that has dominated football during that period.
Guardiola added: “We are not able to win games.
“As a team, always we find a way over the years. Right now, in another situation, nothing happens.”
On what he said to his players after they threw away the match, Guardiola insisted he didn’t really have a message of consolation.
Instead, he’s trusting his squad to know what’s required of them.
“It was not necessary to say anything to them – they know it perfectly,” he continued.
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Man City threw away a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 with Feyenoord in Tuesday night’s Champions League clash
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“Three episodes and they (Feyenoord) didn’t allow us to win. It is what it is and so difficult to swallow.
“It will be a tough season for us and we have to accept it. We have to lift them (for clash vs Liverpool on Sunday).
“I have to lift my players. It is my job.”
Guardiola is arguably the best manager of all time – but that didn’t stop a small section of City fans aiming boos and jeers in his direction following their failure to win.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola was seen sporting a cut to his face following Tuesday night’s pulsating 3-3 Champions League draw with Feyenoord
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The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss is, however, relaxed about the situation and opted against biting back.
“They are disappointed. Of course we understand it. They come here not to remember the success in the past, but to see the team win,” he admitted.
City are next in action against Liverpool on Sunday (4.30pm).
Defeat would represent disaster and see Arne Slot’s team move 11 points clear of their fierce rivals at the top of the Premier League table.