LONDON • Pep Guardiola's relentless pursuit of excellence means the bar always has to be set higher at Manchester City than at other clubs.
Part of the reason why he is so hard on his players also has to do with the fact City have won most of their honours over the past decade unlike Liverpool, whose "trophy room is much bigger than ours".
Despite rounding off an "incredible week" by smashing Chelsea 6-0 on Sunday to return to the top of the Premier League on goal difference, the City boss revealed there were no pats on the backs in the dressing room, with the most competitive title race in recent years.
He told reporters: "We don't love each other too much, the players and the staff. We don't let them breathe, but it's the only way.
"Nobody can say anything bad about us because these guys work a lot. The more you win games, the more you have to work.
"We have to maintain the level. We are competing with Tottenham and Liverpool. They've made the best starts in their history... so for us to still be there means a lot.
"To score six against Chelsea and the way we played, we had so much attention. We did it, it's an incredible compliment to the players, they are outstanding."
Guardiola also defended Maurizio Sarri, his Chelsea counterpart and close personal friend, after the Blues suffered their biggest defeat in 28 years, fuelling the sack rumours.
'SUFFOCATE' FOR SUCCESS
We don't love each other too much, the players and the staff. We don't let them breathe, but it's the only way.
PEP GUARDIOLA, Manchester City manager, on the relentless pursuit of excellence required to keep fellow title contenders Liverpool and Tottenham at bay.
Urging patience and drawing parallels with his debut season at City, he added: "People don't understand how difficult the first year can be. My first season here was difficult. People think if you buy players, you can immediately come in and win, but you need time."
Chelsea were blown away by a double from Raheem Sterling and a Ilkay Gundogan strike, while Sergio Aguero equalled Alan Shearer's league record of 11 hat-tricks as he became the club's all-time top scorer in the top flight with 160 goals in 229 appearances.
But, as far as Guardiola is concerned, City can still reach another level or two. Having led Barcelona to three successive LaLiga titles and two Champions League trophies, the Spaniard issued a challenge to his side - to emulate the greatest team of the 2008-12 era.
He added: "We have won three titles since we are together, (but) in Barca, we won much more.
"That team won the Champions League, World Club Cups, six trophies in the first season.
"(But) the desire to want to do the best is incredible and similar. For us to get 100 points (in the league last season), break all records, (I must) continue to push them and push them."
And if City are to pull off an unprecedented quadruple this season - they remain the only English team capable of achieving the feat - Aguero will be key to their chances.
Having hailed his big-game mentality in the lead-up to the game, Guardiola later praised Aguero's "consistency", telling the BBC: "I have said many times, Sergio scores every single season a lot of goals.
"I admire these kind of players. Young players come, but some stay for a long time, that is fantastic."
Sterling agreed with his manager, claiming Aguero should be "cherished".
He told Sky Sports: "It was a terrific performance from the team - the manager set us up and got us ready for the game. Sergio is a player we depend on."
Asked how he felt about matching Shearer's mark, the Argentina striker, who prefers to do his talking on the pitch with unnerving accuracy, stayed true to fashion, insisting he had "to continue the same way".
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS, THE GUARDIAN
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola just as delighted with defence as attack after Burnley rout. It is now five games, and more than 500 minutes, since City conceded a league goal
Pep Guardiola names two simple ways Man City can STILL
No pats on backs for City after rout: Pep, Football News
It was a City siege in the second half, though, with the team's passing much crisper and penetrative. David Silva had a penalty shout turned down after Burnley striker Ashley Barnes appeared to handle the midfielder's shot. Burnley center backs Ben Mee and James Tarkowski, sitting very deep, kept getting in the way of passes, crosses and shots.
Messi backs Guardiola's City for success. Manchester City will continue to grow more under Pep Guardiola. Barca put City to the sword in a 4-0 Champions League rout on matchday three and
Manchester City are Premier League champions: How Pep
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 12, 2019, with the headline 'No pats on backs for City after rout: Pep'. Print Edition | Subscribe.
No pats on backs for City after rout: Pep - theworldnews.net
Manchester City: How Pep Guardiola's team wowed Match of the Day pundits. Manchester City's route to the Premier League title has been untouched by serious opposition - a coronation in the making
ROAD CLOSURE & PARKING INFORMATION: Madison VanDenburg's
Pep Guardiola names two simple ways Man City can STILL improve after Champions League rout. Pep Guardiola watched his Manchester City side thrash Schalke 7-0 for the second biggest aggregate win
Messi backs Guardiola's City for success | FourFourTwo
Town and school leaders have planned a full day of events Tuesday to welcome home local American Idol finalist Madison VanDenburg, including a pep rally at Shaker High School, a parade, and a
City hangs on to beat Burnley, stays on track for EPL title
No pats on backs for City after rout: Pep LONDON • Pep Guardiola's relentless pursuit of excellence means the bar always has to be set higher at Manchester City than at other clubs. Part of the reason why he is so hard on his players also has to do with the fact City have won most of their honours over the past decade unlike Liverpool, whose
Manchester City news: Pep Guardiola backs Sergio Aguero to
Sergio Aguero is still striving for his best form after suffering a broken rib in a car crash at the end of September, according to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola. Aguero netted seven times in
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola just as delighted with
sportstoft.com/soccer/manchester-city-boss-pep-guardiola-just-as-delighted-with-defence-as-attack-after-burnley-rout/
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola just as delighted with defence as attack after Burnley rout 10/22/2018 Soccer Pep Guardiola, not a manager prone to boastful pronouncements, was quick to point out that his Manchester City side is currently producing more shots on goal than any team in any of the major European league at present after their
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola just as delighted with
No comments:
Post a Comment