Manchester City’s slump in form is ‘not ideal’ but is ‘something that happens over the course of the season’.
That is the measured view of City midfielder Mateo Kovacic, who believes this week’s international break has come at a good time for the Premier League champions.
City lost four successive games before their players joined up with their respective international sides – the first time manager Pep Guardiola has lost four games in a row during his entire managerial career.
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Defeats to Tottenham and Sporting CP in the Carabao Cup and Champions League were compounded by back-to-back Premier League losses to Bournemouth and Brighton and Hove Albion.
It has left City five points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool, who they play later this month.
A series of injuries to key players caught up with City during their torrid run of form but the break has come at a good time as Guardiola looks to recharge his squad ahead of the festive period.
City have won four Premier League titles in a row and with winning comes experience. That is reflected in the views of Kovacic, who is focusing on the bigger picture.
“We will see, if we win I will feel much better,” the 30-year-old told PA Sport. “It’s not ideal but it’s something that happens over the course of the season.
“The break is probably good to have our minds on something else and when we go back after the international break we will try to win again.”
Kovacic is in line to face Scotland at Hampden Park in the UEFA Nations League this evening before Croatia round off their campaign at home to Portugal on Monday.
