Pep Guardiola blames pitch for Chelsea’s 4-2 defeat

Manchester City emerged victorious over Chelsea with a 4-2 win, highlighted by Erling Haaland’s hat-trick but Pep Guardiola thinks something else was responsible.

It wasn’t just the players’ performances that caught attention to the City boss as Pep Guardiola, pointed to an unexpected factor in the outcome: the pitch conditions.

Guardiola’s comments, suggesting that Chelsea’s defensive errors were exacerbated by the poor quality of the playing surface, sparked a fresh angle on the friendly’s outcome. He implied that the Blues might have fared better on their home turf at Stamford Bridge.

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Interestingly, amidst his critique, Guardiola also offered a nod of respect to Chelsea’s new manager, Enzo Maresca. Despite the loss, Guardiola expressed his appreciation for the tactical approach Maresca is trying to implement, a sentiment perhaps underscored by their personal friendship.

The match saw Chelsea’s defensive struggles laid bare, with Haaland capitalizing on two miscued passes to score his opening goals. Although the Blues managed to pull back two goals through Raheem Sterling and Noni Madueke, concerns linger over their pre-season form under Maresca.

Guardiola’s remarks provide a layered narrative: a subtle critique of the pitch, an empathetic nod to a fellow manager, and a reminder of the high standards expected at top-tier clubs.