Manchester City’s illustrious manager, Pep Guardiola, addressed the media on Thursday, expressing his view that the extraordinary treble triumph of the previous season was an extraordinary and unique accomplishment that would be difficult to replicate. Guardiola’s comments come as the Premier League powerhouse gears up for the start of a fresh campaign.
With the Premier League season kickoff just around the corner, Manchester City, who are vying to make history by becoming the first team to clinch four consecutive English top-flight titles, are set to take on Burnley in an away match on Friday.
Despite being considered favorites in every competition they enter, Guardiola urged caution and advised against anticipating a repeat of last season’s remarkable achievements. The previous campaign saw Manchester City clinch the European crown for the first time and also secure the FA Cup.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Thursday, Guardiola remarked, “It feels like it finished yesterday but we start again. I don’t think it will be possible to do what we did last season, it’s once in a lifetime. I said to the players, forget about it. We climbed the highest mountain last season, but we have come down that mountain now. We start from the same as everyone else, with the same intention, and there will be a lot of difficulties to climb the mountain again.”
Emphasizing the shift in focus, Guardiola, a 52-year-old Spaniard, added, “What we have done remains in our hearts and minds but it’s over. The history speaks for itself, but it is almost impossible to repeat.”
Guardiola maintained a discreet stance on rumors linking Manchester City to a potential move for West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta. The club’s recent participation in the Community Shield against Arsenal ended in a penalty shootout defeat at Wembley, but Guardiola refrained from elaborating on the speculation.
In contrast, Guardiola openly discussed the prospect of facing Burnley, a team managed by his former City captain Vincent Kompany. Kompany successfully led Burnley to rejoin the top flight after just one season in the Championship.
Reflecting on the challenges of the initial fixtures, Guardiola stated, “Normally the first games are difficult, especially against newly-promoted teams because they have nothing to lose and the energy, the dream to do a good season. He (Kompany) has changed the way Burnley play completely, and they destroyed the Championship. It will be a tough, tough game.”
As Manchester City kicks off the new Premier League season, Guardiola’s measured expectations and insights hint at a competitive and exciting journey ahead for the team and its ardent supporters.
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