Manager Josep Guardiola has called on Manchester City’s “vulnerable” players to “change the dynamic quickly” and said he feels “everything is going wrong” after the shock Champions League defeat to Bodø/Glimt.
Man City, who were without a number of players, suffered a heavy defeat to Norway in the Champions League on Tuesday, which saw Rodri sent off, a disastrous result following a poor domestic performance.
City’s hopes of winning the Premier League have been dealt a blow following a run of four games without a win, including Saturday’s demoralizing derby loss to Manchester United.
Their automatic place in the last 16 of European competition now hinges on next week’s final league game against Galatasaray, and Guardiola told a press conference that something needs to change for the team.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Ben Lamson shares his thoughts on Manchester City’s shock defeat to Norway’s Bod/Glimt in the Champions League.
“Since the new year, everything started going against (us) in many things.
“I know how good a team Bodo are, I didn’t underestimate them. I don’t know much about them, but they reached the semi-finals of the Europa League last season, which is still fresh in my mind.
Bodø/Glimt striker Kasper Ho celebrates after scoring his first goal against Man City in the Champions League group game
“We arrived in some divisions without key players who bring stability to the team. Like for a period of last season, they are a bit vulnerable, but we played 10-11 and a lot of players stepped up.
“We have to go back. The results in the Premier League and today have not been good for the first time since 2025. But we have to look forward. After the Wolves and Galatasaray games we have four days to see what happens.”
“We have to change the situation quickly.”
“Everything goes wrong”
City’s only wins in 2026 have come in domestic cup games against Exeter and Newcastle in League One.
Despite being without 11 of Norway’s senior players due to injury, illness, suspension or disqualification, Guardiola dismissed suggestions that his team was flat.
“This was an incredible opportunity for us,” he said. “Everything that went wrong feels wrong in so many details. That’s a fact, and we have to try to change that.”
“But the players are there so we will try.
Asked about the flat sides, he added: “I don’t agree.” “We didn’t have Jeremy[Doc]or Sabinho or a proper winger and there are a lot of important players in other departments who are not here, giving us more stability than ever, but today there was no feeling that the team was not there.
“They are well organized, they force us to go out and we don’t have players who are going to put us behind one-on-one. Overall Bodo was really good so we congratulate them. There’s nothing else to say.”
Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma after conceding a goal against Bodo/Glimt
The scoreline actually pleased City. City were rocked by Kasper Hogg’s two quick-fire goals in the first half and Jens Petter Hauge’s superb strike after the break.
Rayan Cherki pulled one back, but any hopes of a comeback ended as Rodri was sent off after receiving two cautions in quick succession. City were lucky not to concede again as Hauge’s shot was disallowed and Hauge hit the woodwork.
Guardiola refused to criticize Rodri, who has had a difficult return to form so far after suffering a serious knee injury last season.
“It was a difficult situation. We lost the ball. We made transitions, but they were quick and sometimes we reacted,” he said.
“The second one is a little soft, but that’s about it.”
‘A defeat that damages City’s credibility’
Tim Sherwood talks about soccer:
“City are still in a good position at the Champions League stage, but we’ve had a few opportunities to put this down and rest some players, but we’re struggling with a few injuries so we don’t have too many players to rest at the moment.
“But it was a great performance by Bodo/Glimt and will probably go down in history as their best ever.
“I couldn’t believe[Rodri’s sending off]. He’s an experienced player and an essential player for City. Like a lot of City’s players tonight, he was average in the game. He’s just come back from a cruciate injury and he’s playing on the astroturf. It was a strange decision to bring him on.”
“And he didn’t look happy and looked like he was going to get himself sent off. He knows very well that once you get a yellow card, once you pull back you’ll get another yellow. It was just after the first decision, it was a terrible decision from an experienced player and there was absolutely zero chance of a comeback in this game where the team was struggling after that.”
“He will be suspended for the next game and everything went wrong for City tonight, it really did, but they are still in a good enough position to qualify automatically and I think they will continue to do so, but this is a blow to confidence.”
There are a lot of City games…
At the moment, Man City are still in fourth place in the Champions League.
However, after tonight’s shocking loss, their top eight position is now in serious jeopardy.
If they drop out of the top eight and City’s final group game is against Galatasaray next Wednesday, the Champions League play-offs will become a double-header, setting up an overcrowded February.
If you finish in the top 8, your February matchup list will look like this:
February 1 – Tottenham (a), Premier League February 4 – Newcastle (h) – Carabao Cup semi-final second leg February 7 – Liverpool (a), Premier League February 11 – Fulham (h), Premier League February 14 – Salford – FA Cup fourth round *February 17 or 18 – Play-offs first leg, Champions League February 21 – Newcastle (h), Premier League *24th or 25th February – Play-offs second leg, Champions League 28th February – Leeds (a), Premier League
Your opinion: “Pep completed the race at City”
Can Guardiola turn things around at Manchester City? He chose your opinion…
Marko: I think Pep has run his own race, like a few players at City. He doesn’t seem to have been able to adapt tactically in recent years.
James Jones: I don’t think he can turn things around. Game over. I think the players have given up because they know he’s going to quit soon. Sad times await.
Glenn: City’s golden age is finally coming to an end. There have been so many changes over the last 12 months that half of our players have been sent back to positions they have never played before. Is Pep a goat? Probably. Unopenable? Never.
Charlesgalo05: Pep ran out of ideas. He continues to favor players who are not doing well, which is costing us a lot of time.
Mike: We have top-class players even without injuries. Our problem is tactics. A slow build-up gives all opponents the chance to organize a solid defense, and when we lose the ball they turn us over and try to score. Pep should go – we’ve used him to the fullest.
Gaz15: He looked exhausted over the last 6-12 months. I think he will be gone by the end of the season at the latest.
Daniel Wilde: I think Pep will turn things around at City and win the Carabao Cup, the FA Cup and hopefully the Champions League.
