Pep Guardiola’s Cheeky Remark and the 100-Point Record
Pep Guardiola, the renowned manager of Manchester City, has delivered a teasing jab at Liverpool, asserting that even the Premier League leaders cannot match City’s historic 100-point record from the 2017-18 season. That season, under Guardiola’s leadership, City achieved an unprecedented feat, setting numerous records and leaving an indelible mark on English football. Despite this season’s challenges, where City’s bid for a fifth consecutive league title has faltered, Guardiola remains confident that no team, including Liverpool, can replicate their 100-point success. "We took all the records in England," Guardiola boasted. "Who would do 100 points now in modern football? I’m waiting. Or four in a row? I’m waiting – with clubs like Bournemouth, Fulham, and Wolves that you have to play. They cannot do 100 points already – 99 but not 100."
City’s Struggle and the Changing Premier League
Guardiola acknowledges that Manchester City’s form has significantly declined this season. The team is currently 16 points adrift of Liverpool, and the manager has attributed this to a variety of factors. When asked about the changes in the Premier League, Guardiola turned to his midfielder Ilkay Gundogan for insight. Gundogan, who has experience in both the Premier League and La Liga, noted the significant improvements in the league. "Massively, the difference was unbelievable," Gundogan observed. "The teams are much, much, much better in all departments. People prepare so well." Guardiola also cited the team’s injury problems and the emotional fatigue of key players as contributing factors to their off-form season. "We cannot do it for the (injury) problems we’ve had. There are a lot of players, with the amount of minutes they have had, who are so tired, emotionally as well."
Accepting the Reality of a Tough Season
Despite the club’s illustrious history and Guardiola’s lofty ambitions, the manager has come to terms with the reality of the current situation. "We deserve to have a bad season. We deserve not to be like we were. They are human beings, it can happen. We weren’t consistent and we haven’t had the players at their best," Guardiola admitted. This acknowledgment reflects a more human side to the usually composed and confident manager. For Guardiola and many of his players, this is the first time they have faced such a challenge, and he emphasizes the importance of accepting the situation and moving forward. "It’s the first time that me and many of the players have lived this position but we have to accept it (and recognize) what happened in the past was not normal."
Struggles in Sustaining High Performance
Guardiola’s analysis extends to his team’s ability to maintain high levels of performance throughout a match. "We cannot sustain it for 90 minutes, that’s right," he conceded. "We are in this position because we are not good enough." This self-critique is a rare glimpse into the manager’s thoughts on the team’s current limitations. Guardiola highlighted the contrast between City’s past success and their current struggles, particularly in their recent match against Real Madrid. "In the second half against Madrid, when they keep the ball and start to play, play, play, we regain the ball and want to – in two seconds – try to score a goal. We lose the ball and then [Kylian] Mbappe and Vinicius run even more." This highlights the team’s difficulty in maintaining possession and executing their tactical plans effectively.
The Impact of Tactical Demands on an Ageing Squad
The challenges faced by Manchester City are not just physical but also tactical. Guardiola’s ageing squad is struggling to keep up with the manager’s demanding style of play. "During the big, big success of the team, we were able to do sequences of 20, 25, 30 passes in the opponents’ half – now we are not able to do that," he said. This reflects a shift in the team’s ability to dominate games and control the pace of play. Guardiola also noted that the team’s confidence in possession has waned, leading to increased mistakes and risks. "Before we had the confidence to play with the ball and now we suffer when we have the ball. We take risks and make mistakes – that didn’t happen in previous years. I accept that when the opponents have the ball, I’m going to suffer. But now we are suffering when we have the ball. It never happened before."
Looking Forward: Champions League and Beyond
While City’s Premier League campaign has been disappointing, they still face the challenge of overcoming a 3-2 home defeat in the first leg of their Champions League knockout round play-off. Guardiola is well aware of the uphill battle they face but remains committed to fighting until the end. "We have to accept the position we are in and work to improve. The Champions League is a different competition, and we will give it our all," he said. Guardiola’s remarks highlight the team’s resilience and determination, even in the face of adversity. As the season progresses, the focus will likely shift to regaining their dominant form and ensuring a more consistent performance in the upcoming seasons.
