Man City coach Pep Guardiola and Kyle Walker highlight lack of recovery after shock defeat to Bournemouth | Football News

Pep Guardiola suggested the fact Man City had less time to recover played a role in their shock defeat to Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson's goals ensured the Cherries deserved a 2-1 win, having never beaten the Cherries in the league in their history.

City crashed out of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night after a 2-1 defeat at Tottenham, meaning they had a three-day break before the trip south, while Bournemouth had twice as much, having last played away the previous Saturday Aston Villa had played.

The defeat dropped Guardiola's side to second place, two points behind Liverpool, who came from behind to beat Brighton 2-1.

“We couldn’t match the intensity of Bournemouth, who had six or seven days. There was less recovery from the trip from London,” said the Spaniard.

“We talked about it, we had to increase our tackling in this position. They had chances and we created a few, especially at the end. And we had our momentum, but we couldn't defend the long balls, and when that happens, you have to defend so deep.

“The boys gave everything. After nine years together, I know they gave it, but not enough to compete against this team at this moment.”

Ahead of the game, Guardiola had spoken of many of his players having a 50-50 chance of playing, with injuries currently causing problems for the reigning Premier League champions.

Neither Savinho nor Kevin De Bruyne came off the bench, while he spoke before the game about how both Ruben Dias and John Stones would be on the sidelines for extended periods.

“Kyle Walker trained for 16 days and didn’t complete a single training session. He made an incredible effort,” Guardiola added.

“Yesterday we trained as a team for the first time. Manuel Akanji couldn't play in the last game because of a minor problem. Nathan Ake has been in the wars and put in incredible efforts.”

“It’s not just about that, but when you’re in this position you have to focus more and win a little bit more.”

“We knew Bournemouth had success in this part of the season and they deserved it. Under different circumstances we could have defended our unbeaten record.”

Walker echoed his manager's sentiments when speaking to him Sky Sports on the south coast.

“Coming here and not winning is always disappointing. Sometimes I think you have to play the game with emotions,” he said.

“When we have had the injuries we have had and the time Bournemouth have had – six days – to prepare for this game, sometimes you have to play with your heart.”

“We got going in the last 10 minutes, but being 2-0 down was always going to be an uphill battle.”

“The way Bournemouth attack, with the front three and the runners behind them, everything has to be 100 percent right. The quality has to be very good, it’s a different Bournemouth to what we’ve seen in recent years.”

“They have discipline and organization. You can see that in the results they have achieved in the last few weeks.”

“We’re not using that as an excuse, we had people on the bench and in the starting XI today who were ready to go. We have to give Bournemouth full credit and move on to the next game.”

Who are Man City currently missing?

Guardiola claimed his side only had 13 first-team players available for the game against Bournemouth following their 2-1 defeat at Tottenham in the Carabao Cup in midweek.

Already without Walker, Rodri, Oscar Bobb, Jeremy Doku, De Bruyne And Jack Grealish, Manuel Akanji was withdrawn before kick-off Savinho was left on a stretcher in north London during the second half.

However, the injured Walker and Akanji both returned to the Vitality starting XI, while Savinho, De Bruyne and Doku were only fit enough to come on – although only the latter of that trio came off the bench.

Now a central defender Ruben Dias And John Stones were not included in the squad and Guardiola revealed that the pair will now be sidelined for an extended period, meaning the Premier League champions will now be without these key players.