Pep Guardiola knows that his team needs to grow throughout this season | OneFootball

If there is any manager who knows what it takes to win the Premier League, or any league for that matter it’s Pep Guardiola. Across his storied managerial career, which reaches 1000 games today, Guardiola has won 40 major trophies. The Manchester City manager knows how league titles are won and heading into his team’s crucial Premier League clash against Liverpool, Guardiola has explained that teams that rise throughout the season are the ones that generally triumph come the end of the season. He is hoping that his team can follow that route this season.

Pep Guardiola is hoping to see his team rise and improve across this season.

Speaking ahead of his team’s clash with Liverpool, Pep Guardiola shared his belief that teams that rise across the journey that is an entire season tend to emerge successful. He also explained that his team remains a work in progress despite their impressive form of late. Speaking on his team’s development, and how league titles are won, Pep Guardiola explained: “We are learning to play better in different ways. Still, I have the feeling defensively we are not like I’m dreaming of – like when we concede few chances and few goals but it’s fine although we don’t compare with Arsenal who are unbelievable.”

“We are learning better to play better against different shapes – man-marking or low blocks whereas at the beginning, we struggled a little bit.”

“The big teams who win things from my experience, when they arrive in the end in April, May, June, that his how much you grew up from September, October, and every month.”

“The teams that win are the ones that rise. I have the feeling we get better but that doesn’t mean we can’t slip back in some games.”

Today’s match against Liverpool is another chance for Manchester City to show that they’re growing.

It was to be expected that this Manchester City squad would need time to grow and gel as a unit. With so many new players and new coaches, it was always going to take time for Pep Guardiola’s new-look side to come together. Across the early stages of this season the signs are there that this City team is coming together. Although as they went down to a 1-nil defeat to Aston Villa two weeks ago, there will be moments where this City team will show it’s immaturity and lack of cohesion.

Today’s match against Liverpool is another ideal opportunity for Pep Guardiola’s team to show they’ve grown across this season. Last season they fell to two 2-nil defeats to Arne Slot’s side. Both matches were barely a contest as Liverpool ran away with the Premier League title, and last season’s Manchester City side were on their last legs as a unit. This time feels different. Liverpool have won their past two matches against Aston Villa and Real Madrid. But there does seem to be a frailty to Arne Slot’s side. Pep Guardiola’s side has improved from last season and they will face the Premier League champions with the opportunity to send a message. If City can beat Liverpool they’ll show that they mean business this season. That is the opportunity that is on offer for City today.

Summary.

Team’s that grow and rise across a season tend to win league titles. Many of Pep Guardiola’s teams that have won the Premier League, Bundesliga and La Liga have followed this path. The Manchester City manager will be hoping that his new-look team can follow a similar path. They have an opportunity today against Liverpool at the Etihad to show that they are growing so today’s match is massive for Manchester City’s confidence and belief heading into the upcoming international break and beyond.