Following Rodri’s complaints, Pep Guardiola sarcastically brushed aside inquiries regarding the officiating during Manchester City’s clash with Chelsea.
Throughout the game, City’s frustration was palpable as several decisions appeared to go against them, and despite multiple VAR checks for potential penalties, the hosts were not awarded any.
“I don’t want to dwell on the referee, but I can’t remember a match with so many VAR reviews and none in our favor, come on, man,” Rodri lamented after the game.
When questioned about these comments post-match, Guardiola sought clarification on specific incidents. “Which ones? I’m not entirely sure,” he responded.
“If you can specify the exact decisions, then I can provide my thoughts.
But I’m not sure what you’re referring to. We need to perform better in the first half.”
In a playful tone, Guardiola quipped, “Which one?” in response to queries about the late penalty appeal involving Ruben Dias and Levi Colwill’s handball.
“Which incident occurred within the Chelsea box? I must have missed it.”
Despite Rodri’s frustrations with the decisions, he echoed his manager’s sentiments about the need for improvement.
The midfielder emphasized the importance of individual accountability and defensive solidity.
“It was within our control, and we must execute better in individual moments; we can’t afford to let the game slip away like that,” he asserted.
“If we’re to challenge for the title, we need to take responsibility collectively; I’m not pointing fingers.
“We felt we had momentum and opportunities to secure victory, but sometimes luck isn’t on our side.
It can be frustrating.” While Rodri refrained from directly criticizing the referee, he acknowledged the abundance of VAR reviews and the lack of favorable outcomes for his team.
“It’s time to move on, but you can always sense the frustration,” he concluded.
