Pep Guardiola makes shock admission about Manchester City's dramatic fall from power
Pep Guardiola makes shock admission about Manchester City's dramatic fall from power
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Besieged Pep Guardiola has admitted NO-ONE fears a trip to the Etihad any more. And after winning four Premier League titles on the spin, the Manchester City boss said he would now consider a top-four finish an achievement. The champions have won only two of their last five home games in the Premier League and face Chelsea on Saturday evening.
And Guardiola is expecting Enzo Maresca’s side to be on the front foot, saying: “I remember people came here and they had to stay back, you know, leave the process. Now, change. Everyone comes here, doesn't matter, men to men. They just jump to Ederson, Stefan [Ortega].”.
Their alarming vulnerability was starkly highlighted in Paris on Wednesday when PSG came from two down to thump City, leaving them in danger of missing out on qualification for the Champions League knockout stages. And such is the extent of his team’s struggles, Guardiola would be proud of a top-four Premier League finish.
He explained: “I remember Jose (Mourinho) said many times finishing second (with Manchester United) in that season was the biggest success. I understand completely. There are seasons where there are a lot of difficulties. I think the hierarchy, the sports director, the CEOs, the players, know that.”.
While Guardiola repeatedly bemoans the plague of injuries that has descended on City this season, he also admits that other teams have caught up with the champions. And they have done that, he suggests, by imitating his style. Guardiola said: “When I arrived, all the keepers were long-ball. The ball was for us. Now, all the keepers are central defenders. And all the midfielders make the central defenders wide. Everyone is in the pocket. Now, you are struggling more to regain the ball.”.
