Amid mounting criticism over Manchester City’s lackluster performances this season, head coach Pep Guardiola has fired back at his rivals, particularly Liverpool, by emphasizing his team’s past achievements. Guardiola pointed out that even if Liverpool goes on to win this season’s Premier League title, they will still fall short of the historic 100-point record set by City in the 2017-18 season.
Currently, Guardiola’s Manchester City finds itself in an unfamiliar position, trailing 16 points behind league leaders Liverpool. Their hopes of securing a fifth consecutive English crown have all but faded, with Liverpool now holding a seven-point lead over second-placed Arsenal. If Liverpool secures the title, it will be their 20th league triumph, matching Manchester United’s record. However, Guardiola took the opportunity to remind critics of City’s dominance in previous seasons.
Speaking ahead of City’s crucial clash with Newcastle, Guardiola dismissed concerns over his team’s decline and instead turned the spotlight onto Liverpool’s inability to surpass City’s record-breaking achievements. “We set all the records in England. Who else has reached 100 points in modern football? I’m still waiting,” he remarked. “Liverpool this season? They can’t do 100 points anymore—99 maybe, but not 100.”
Despite this, Guardiola acknowledged that City has struggled this season. He noted that the competitive landscape of the Premier League has significantly evolved, making it tougher for teams to maintain dominance. Referring to a conversation with former City captain Ilkay Gündogan, now at Barcelona, Guardiola stated that the changes in the league over the past two years have been remarkable. “Teams have improved in every aspect, and the competition is much tougher now,” he admitted.
Injuries and fatigue have also played a role in City’s decline. Guardiola pointed out that his squad has been stretched thin, leading to inconsistency in performances. “We deserve to have a bad season. We are not machines; we are human. This is the first time many of us have been in this position, and we must accept it,” he said.
One of the biggest differences compared to previous seasons, according to Guardiola, is City’s inability to capitalize on their dominance in possession. “I can accept suffering when the opponent has the ball, but now we are struggling even when we have possession. This never happened before, and at the moment, I don’t have an immediate solution.”
While Guardiola acknowledges City’s shortcomings this season, he remains proud of their legacy and challenges any team to match their past success. With the title seemingly out of reach, City will now focus on finishing the season strongly and regaining their momentum for the future.
