Guardiola concerned about confidence ahead of Barca clash

Pep Guardiola conceded Manchester City’s confidence may be cause for concern amid a stuttering run of form as they prepare to face Barcelona in the Champions League.

City’s winless run extended to three matches in all competitions following Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Everton in the Premier League.

Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero both missed penalties in the stalemate, and as Guardiola prepares for a reunion with former club Barcelona at Camp Nou on Wednesday, the Spanish manager has some worries.

“Maybe. If you analyse the three results where we haven’t won, I try to analyse why we didn’t win,” Guardiola said when asked if City’s confidence had dipped.

“That is my job. So of course the confidence and the mood is much better when you win.

“But we are professional enough so that when we win we stay stable and when we lose, we analyse the reason why.”

Guardiola continued: “In Barcelona, for the last 15 years, they dominate possession the way they play.

I love the way they play. I’m going to accept to win or to lose and the team will be judged by that but, I’m sorry guys, I’m never going to change the way I play football.

“It’s the only thing I have. I can make a lot of mistakes and be judged by many things, but I only have one power: my teams play the way I want. No regrets. Try to be optimistic for what is going to happen in the future.”