Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has warned his players against complacency, despite their 17-game winning streak in all competitions. In a recent press conference, Guardiola highlighted the need for continuity and consistency in achieving success, pointing to Liverpool’s struggles this season as an example of how quickly fortunes can change in football.
Success is Fleeting
Guardiola emphasized the importance of not taking success for granted, highlighting that setbacks and failures are an inevitable part of football. He noted that even teams that have been successful in the past can quickly find themselves struggling in the present.
Top-4 Finish Still an Achievement
Guardiola also stressed that securing a top-four finish is still a significant achievement, even though Manchester City has qualified for the Champions League for the past 12 years. He stated that every team is vulnerable to experiencing setbacks and failure, and the best thing to do is to be aware of this and try to find solutions as soon as possible.
Waiting for Haaland’s Fitness Update
Guardiola disclosed that star striker Erling Haaland may be sidelined due to a groin injury, but the player and club doctors will make the final decision closer to the match. The coach stated his confidence in other players stepping up to fill Haaland’s role if he is ruled out.
Manchester City on Course for Epic Title Race
Guardiola also spoke about Manchester City’s position in the Premier League title race, emphasizing that there is no advantage over league leaders Arsenal. He stated that past successes do not guarantee future victories and reminded his players that they need to prove themselves every single day.
Manchester City will begin their run-in against Liverpool on April 1 before facing Southampton, a double-header against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, a clash against Leicester, an FA Cup semi-final, and a showdown against Arsenal.
Guardiola Prefers Arsenal’s Position over Past Success
Interestingly, Guardiola revealed that he preferred Arsenal’s current position at the top of the Premier League than Manchester City’s experience of winning four out of the last five titles. He believes that experience does not count in the title race and has praised Arsenal’s consistency and focus, with one game a week allowing them to not drop many points.
Guardiola will wait until the last minute to decide on Haaland’s fitness for their match against Liverpool. However, he is confident that other players can step up if he is ruled out. Nonetheless, Manchester City is still on course for another epic title race, this time battling against Arsenal. The Cityzens sit eight points behind but hold a game in hand and host Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in April.
In conclusion, Guardiola has emphasized the need for his team to stay focused and maintain their consistency and continuity despite their success. He has warned them against complacency while acknowledging the unpredictability of football. With just a few games left in the season, fans eagerly await Manchester City’s showdown with Arsenal, which could potentially decide who wins this year’s Premier League title.
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