Pep Guardiola has conceded that Manchester City must “change the dynamic quick” following their stunning 3-1 loss to Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in the Arctic on Tuesday evening.
The Champions League defeat saw the defending Premier League champions suffer yet another setback, with midfielder Rodri dismissed during the match.
City travelled to Norway already depleted by injuries, missing several key players for the fixture.
The result in Scandinavia adds to mounting pressure on Guardiola’s squad, who have now endured a deeply disappointing run of form across all competitions in recent weeks.
The club’s Premier League title aspirations have been significantly dented by a run of four matches without a win, including Saturday’s dispiriting defeat at Old Trafford against Manchester United, a result that proved particularly damaging to morale.
Domestic troubles have now spilled over into European competition, leaving City’s Champions League campaign at a critical juncture.
Now, their hopes of qualifying automatically for the last 16 now rest entirely on next week’s decisive league phase encounter with Galatasaray.
A positive result against the Turkish giants has become essential if Guardiola’s side are to avoid the additional burden of a knockout playoff round.
Pep Guardiola has conceded that Manchester City must ‘change the dynamic quick’
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GETTY
Guardiola told reporters: “Everything has started to be, since the new year, against (us) in many, many things.
“I know how good a team Bodo are. I didn’t underestimate them. There is not much I know but they (reached the) semi-final last season of the Europa League and they were fresh in mind.
“We arrived in some departments without important players who give consistency to the team. They are a little bit fragile, (as) they were last season in a certain period.
“How they fought 10 against 11, a lot of players made a step up, but we have to change the dynamic quick for the next game against Wolves and after that the last game against Galatasaray.”
Manchester City suffered a humiliating 3-1 defeat at the hands of Norwegian underdogs Bodø/Glimt on Tuesday evening | GETTY
City’s only victories in 2026 have come in domestic cup ties against Exeter, of League One, and Newcastle.
Yet they were without 11 senior players in Norway through either injury, illness, suspension or ineligibility.
Guardiola said: “It was an incredible opportunity for us and the feeling is that everything (that can be) going wrong, is going (wrong) in many, many details.
“That is a fact and you have to try to change it.”
Five things to know about Man City boss Pep Guardiola | GETTY/GBNEWS
Guardiola scoffed at a suggestion his team was flat and said: “I do not agree. Bodo were really good and we congratulate them. We cannot say anything else.”
Rodri was also dismissed for two bookings in quick succession just after the hour ended hopes of a fightback.
Guardiola refused to criticise Rodri as he continued to struggle in what has been a difficult comeback season to date after suffering a serious knee injury last term.
He said: “It was a difficult situation. We lost the ball. We made a transition but they are fast and sometimes you react. It’s little bit soft, the second one, but it is what it is.”
