Guardiola just happy to avoid post-international stumble

LONDON: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was critical of his team’s performance despite their 4-0 English Premier League win at West Ham, blaming the international break.

He was grateful, however, to avoid dropping points, noting that major European teams such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Manchester United had all stumbled this weekend.

“The guys were training (elsewhere) for 10 days, most of them in a different way, some- times in a different rhythm and they come back and have just one training centre and then travel away to West Ham,” Guardiola told reporters.

“The pass, we lost more, we didn’t find the right spots to attack them. They were there but we didn’t find them but the four goals were fantastic, the result is incredible.”

The break from club football led to several upsets with Real losing 3-0 at Eibar, Bayern Munich drawing 3-3 with Fortuna Duesseldorf and United limping to a scoreless draw at home to Crystal Palace.

“After the international break we know Madrid lose away, Bayern Munich draw at home, United were not able to win at home.

“It is complicated after the international break, always so difficult so that is why I give a lot of credit (to the team) knowing we have to be better,” Guardiola said.

Champions City remained two points clear at the top of the table.