By Daily Sports on December 3, 2019

Pep Guardiola says Manchester City must tighten up in defence after they fell 11 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Following the disappointing 2-2 weekend draw at Newcastle, the defending Premier League champions visit Burnley on Tuesday, 24 hours before Liverpool host struggling Everton.

Guardiola is well aware of where the problems lie, without a clean sheet in any match since the 3-0 win against Aston Villa in late October.

“That is not good enough,” he said. “We must improve.

“We had 26 shots, not all on target, at Newcastle. We had three or four one-on-ones with the ’keeper. They shot twice and scored. Always we try to prepare to create more and concede less.”

But Guardiola said he would continue playing Fernandinho at the heart of his backline rather than restoring him to midfield, even though Ilkay Gundogan is suspended for the tough test at Turf Moor.

Since losing Vincent Kompany at the end of last season and Aymeric Laporte with a serious knee injury in August, the City boss has largely deployed the Brazilian at centre-back, even when defenders John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi have been fit and available.

And he said Fernandinho would continue in the role.

“Right now yes,” said Guardiola. “Because I like Dinho playing in that position a lot. That is why he plays. I prefer Gundogan and Rodri in this (midfield) position.” (SuperSport)

•PHOTO: Pep Guardiola 

Source Daily Sports

Posted December 3, 2019

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