Pep Guardiola feels City far away from title defense despite win

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola believes the club is far away from retaining their title despite a 2-0 win against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Sunday. Interestingly, the home team had 54% possession against the visitors.

City haven’t been at their best in the ongoing season and they have failed to come up with a collective effort. The confidence is clearly missing and Guardiola understands that the situation is not ideal.

On Sunday, Savinho and Erling Halaand scored to help Manchester City bag three crucial points.

“It is not enjoyable right now, it is just relief,” Guardiola told Sky Sports after the game. “We have done incredible things for many years. It is not the best.”

City are currently in fifth place in the Premier League standings and they are 14 points in arrears to table-leaders Liverpool, who have an extra game in hand. The Spaniard has ruled out any title hopes for his team in the ongoing season.

“We can not sustain for 90 minutes, today we proved that again,” the 53-year-old added to the BBC. “[We can] clear our minds now by getting results. We are far away from winning the Premier League. We accept there’s already no chance of that but we have other things to fight for. FA Cup, top four and winning games helps.”

The veteran head coach admitted that the Foxes were better than them in the second half.

“They were better than us in the second half,” Guardiola said. “We can not sustain the aggression and pressing. We just can’t right now.

“This is just one game. The game against Manchester United hurt us a lot in terms of confidence. That game killed us. That game was mentally a struggle then tough games against Aston Villa and Everton.

“It is what it is, we have to hunt for wins and that’s life. Most of the players proved again they are ready to fight.”

Manchester City will next take on West Ham at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.