Under-fire Pep Guardiola has conceded that teams no longer dread visiting the Etihad. Despite securing four consecutive Premier League titles, the Manchester City manager now views a top-four finish as an accomplishment this season.
The reigning champions have only managed two victories in their last five home league matches and are set to face Chelsea on Saturday evening.
Guardiola anticipates an aggressive attacking approach from Enzo Maresca’s team, stating: “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.”
City’s glaring susceptibility was brutally exposed in Paris on Wednesday when PSG overturned a two-goal deficit to thrash City 4-2, leaving them teetering on the brink of Champions League elimination.
Given his squad’s current predicament, Guardiola would consider a top-four Premier League finish a significant achievement as he admitted now fully understands rival Jose Mourinho‘s outlook at Manchester United in 2018.
He said: “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 frequently laments the injury crisis afflicting City this season, he also acknowledges that rival teams have closed the gap on the champions. He suggests they’ve achieved this by emulating his tactics.
Guardiola stated: “When I arrived, all Guardiola lamented the changing dynamics of football, stating: “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.”
Injuries have added to Guardiola’s woes, with Ruben Dias being the latest casualty after only playing half of the PSG match. Jeremy Doku will also miss the Chelsea game, but new signings Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis are available for selection.
Guardiola has high expectations from them, saying: “Vitor is young, has a huge personality but needs time. Khusanov is already settled, playing in the French league against tough, fast players.
“Omar has exceptional quality and I think he will adapt quickly ” If City can overcome Maresca’s team, they will leapfrog fourth-placed Chelsea in the Premier League table.
Despite their humiliation in Paris, City secured a 6-0 victory at Portman Road against Ipswich in their last league outing. However, Guardiola dismissed suggestions that their recent unbeaten run in the Premier League signals a return to form. He said: “When (people) say after Ipswich that we are back or after Leicester (a 2-0 win) that we are back … take time.
“Next season, we will be back, really. Now it’s a question of survival.” Four days after the Chelsea clash, City must defeat Club Brugge to advance to the Champions League stages and, despite the humbling defeat in Paris, Guardiola remains bullish about his team’s chances.
Asserting his optimism, he proclaimed: “We can make it. I am very, very positive. I think it is going to happen.”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk