Pep Guardiola defends poor form at 'injury-hit' Man City

City endured a bruising week that included a 3-1 defeat away to Bodo/Glimt and a flat 2-0 loss in the Manchester derby. The setback in Norway prompted City's players to refund the tickets of the 374 travelling supporters, with Erling Haaland later describing the performance as "embarrassing".

Speaking ahead of Saturday's Premier League meeting with Wolves, which Guardiola labelled a "final", the City manager said fitness problems had left his side at a clear disadvantage. City were without several senior players and have been forced to rely heavily on the same core group through a congested schedule.

"One week ago we were at Newcastle and won 2-0," Guardiola said. "I know exactly why we are struggling now. I know one hundred per cent what happened with the team."

City began the weekend seven points behind leaders Arsenal, whom Guardiola described as "the best team in the world". Despite the gap, he rejected suggestions that his side's standards had dropped, pointing instead to the lack of available players.

"We struggled a little bit. Why? Because we don't have the team," he said. "For one or two days you can solve it, but for a long time it is unsustainable."

Guardiola also defended City's defeat at Bodo/Glimt, pushing back against criticism of the result and praising the Norwegian champions.

"People say, ‘How do they lose there?' but Bodo are an exceptional team, especially at home," he said. "They reached the semi-finals of the Europa League last season. Many people talking did not watch one game of Bodo."

The defeat was Bodo/Glimt's first-ever Champions League win and left City relying on other results to finish in the top eight and avoid a play-off place. Guardiola admitted fatigue was a growing issue after months of limited rotation.

"All I ask is to have the team back," he added. "Be fit. That's all. When we have it, like last season, we are there."