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HomeNewsManchester City Ruthlessness Reminds Pep Guardiola Of Great Barcelona Vintage

Manchester City Ruthlessness Reminds Pep Guardiola Of Great Barcelona Vintage

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Pep Guardiola accentuated that Manchester City’s current form in both Premier League and the Champions League reminds him of his iconic Barcelona side during his managerial stint in La Liga

Man City have displayed explosive form as Guardiola’s revamped side thrashed 10-man Liverpool 5-0 last Saturday followed by a thumping 4-0 win over Dutch side Feyenoord 4-0 in their Champions League opener in midweek.

Guardiola won three La Liga and two Champions League titles during his illustrious four-year stint as Barcelona boss – where he formed a squad which is referred to as one of football’s finest in all departments – attack, midfield and defense.

Man City have formed a super-strong attacking lineup featuring Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus upfront and well supported by the likes of David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva.

And now Guardiola believes that he can conquer the footballing world again with his talented Man City squad.

Asked if City’s ruthlessness reminded him of his great Barca side, he replied: “Of course, what we have done against Feyenoord is what I liked and tried to do at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.”

“But sometimes I wasn’t able to do it, even at Barcelona and in Munich, to keep the ball high and press. To control the counter-attacks and be there and after they have three passes, we have the ball.”

“That is always the target and why I came here. But that is a process and with City, I feel now, they have good players that become a big team.”

“[Saturday], for example, is a big test for us. The big clubs win the games and that is the big difference to the big teams.”

“In this situation, the teams I left at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and the other big teams, like [Real] Madrid, and Juventus of Turin, in this kind of situation, a game every three days, they are there, they make a professional performance, score a goal in the right moment and win the game. That is the process we have to discover.”

“When we are able to do that, then I will feel we have made a step forward to become a better team.”

“Of course, when you have time to prepare, you can compete everywhere. Last season, we could compete in the games against the top six, but we were not able to win. That is the gap we have to achieve this season.”

Guardiola suggested the biggest barrier between City and greatness is mental strength, but the recent ruthlessness they have showed is a pleasing factor.

Guardiola said that the only barrier between Man City and greatness is mental strength, but he is extremely happy after witnessing the recent ruthlessness that his stars have shown right from the beginning of this season.

“I think every player believes, but sometimes in a bad situation or moment we were not able to overcome the situation,” he said.

“You have to do that. You have to have a strong mentality so when you see the players they have the personality to play on the big stages.”

“That is what I want to feel. Of course, we can lose, but from the beginning against Liverpool and Feyenoord, from the first minute, we showed the supporters that we wanted to play and win this game. That’s what I want to see.”

Anirban Das
Anirban Das's journey to Delhi via Kolkata involves football, music, curiosity (which one day can kill the cat) and food. Following global football opens up an infinite space within him in both the conscious and subconscious self, away from the din and bustle of the madding crowd. Supports Manchester United & Barcelona

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