Guardiola admits to Man City concern in attack after goalless draw in derby

Pep Guardiola admitted Manchester City are struggling to turn chances into goals – and conceded it is a concern.

Without star striker Sergio Aguero, still making his way back from injury and not included in Guardiola’s squad, City lacked a clinical edge up front.

Asked how to solve the problem up front, Guardiola said: “Put the ball in the goal. This is the solution.

“We didn’t concede again like we didn’t against Porto and against Marseille. This is a good point for us to start from here. Okay, up front we are struggling.”

Guardiola, who went with two holding midfielders in Fernandinho and Rodri, in a curiously cautious approach, admitted he could have been more daring but said City had the best of the chances in the stalemate.

“The two holding midfielders? Be more adventurous?” said Guardiola. “We were more adventurous than them and created more chances.

“Maybe [City could have been more attack-minded]. But I’m the manager and I see the team, I see the opponent and what happened in the past games.

“There are many reasons why I decided. They can play different systems and, when you create the chances we had for Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus, considering the moment we’re in, it’s good.”

Guardiola warned Aymeric Laporte he is likely to remain on the bench after praising the central defensive partnership between John Stones and Ruben Dias.

“Aymeric deserves to be in the team, but John and Ruben also deserve to be in the team,” said the City boss.

“They played incredibly well in the last games and didn’t make one single mistkae.

“What players have to do is work harder, better and the moment will come. And, when the moment comes, have a good performance.

But it’s about how you perform right now. Right now, John and Ruben performed brilliantly, so they play.”