Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City and the only manager in modern football to win two European trebles, has claimed that last season’s success is taking a toll on his side.
Manchester City slipped up at the beginning of last season but relentlessly chased Arsenal, led by his former assistant Mikel Arteta, who were running away with the title. After defeating them twice and affecting their psyche, the Gunners slipped up and Manchester City claimed a third-straight Premier League title.
Their run to the UEFA Champions League title last season was also really impressive, beating Inter Milan to claim their first-ever European title and third of the season after bagging the Premier League and the FA Cup trophies.
They started the season poorly, losing to Arsenal in the FA Community Shield but went on to claim the UEFA Super Cup from UEFA Europa League winners Sevilla and got knocked out of the Carabao Cup before the October 2023 international break. They are currently top of the league with 21 points after seven wins and two losses, both of which came in succession.
Those losses were the first time that the former Barcelona manager lost two consecutive league games since his first year at the club. Their wins have also not been fully dominant which has led many to question their process this season.
Following their latest victory against Brighton and Hove Albion – a match which could frankly have gone either way – the question was once again posed to Guardiola. The City manager said: “The treble had an influence on all of us, me included.
“So now we need to be there, close, month by month, to arrive in the final decision moments at the end of the season close to the opponents to try it again.
“I said many times, no-one has won four (Premier Leagues) in a row, never ever. That shows how difficult it is, but now it’s important to be there, especially in the Champions League, qualify for the next round in this period and after we can just focus on the Premier League. That is the target.”
Erling Haaland is the most potent reminder of City’s struggles this season. He is currently leading the goalscoring race in the Premier League but he is not scoring at the same freakish frequency he did last season. He has had a three-game barren run already and many are wondering how much longer his magic will last.
“Yes the expectations are so high but he’s handled it really well,” said Guardiola on Haaland. “He knows he could have scored even more goals in the nine Premier League games we have played.”
