Pep Guardiola demands end to safety-first approach against Leeds

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola wants his players to take risks when Leeds visit the Etihad tomorrow after criticising the safety-first approach that failed against Bayer Leverkusen.

Guardiola made 10 changes for the game against the German club in the Champions League in midweek and it backfired spectacularly with Leverkusen cruising to a 2-0 win.

It meant a second successive defeat for City following Saturday evening’s 2-1 setback at Newcastle.

“We know the competitions are tough. I’m not disappointed about Newcastle, but the other one, yes,” said Guardiola. “In football you have to try things and we didn’t try. You have to rotate. I have a lot of confidence in them, I have huge value in them as football players. Maybe it is higher what I think than them themselves.

“I think they played to not make mistakes, not to do something and that is so difficult. In football you have to play, in defence you have to try and if you lose in your actions you did it. They played to be safe.”

Guardiola a big fan of under-pressure Farke

City have an excellent chance to bounce back immediately against a Leeds team that slipped into the relegation zone last weekend.

The pressure is firmly on Leeds boss Daniel Farke but Guardiola was strong in his defence of the German.

“I have an incredible opinion of Daniel,” he added. “I have a really good relationship with him. I know the Premier League is always like that, you are able to make a good run of results but in the end you can make bad results because the opponents are tough. It is so demanding. You have to be ready.”

Guardiola to let Silva decide his future

Spain midfielder Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, remains sidelined, meaning Bernardo Silva will likely continue in a more defensive midfield role.

The Portugal international is out of contact at the end of the season and has been linked with Juventus, AC Milan and former club Benfica.

Guardiola says the decision will be left to the 31-year-old.

“I want the best for Bernardo and if he wants to stay I will be more than delighted and happy,” he said. “But I don’t talk about that subject with him. I want the best for his family. He has been here nine years and he will decide what’s best.”

Last weekend’s results meant City slipped to third in the Premier League table, a point behind Chelsea and seven adrift of runaway leaders Arsenal.

“I’ve always had the experience to talk about the next game and then after that we will see,” Guardiola said. “I know the distance is already there and Arsenal is so strong, we see it game by game, they are getting better and better as a team.”