Pep Guardiola is pleased with where his team currently sit in the season and has set his Manchester City stars their new target.
Following on from their historic treble last term, City are enjoying another fantastic season which has already been blessed with silverware.
The European champions defeated Sevilla on penalties to win the UEFA Super Cup and and bested Brazilian outfit Fluminense in the Club World Cup final in December.
City obviously aren’t satisfied there, though, and Guardiola has his sights set on claiming as many trophies as possible come the end of the season.
The Carabao Cup has eluded them for another year after being eliminated by Newcastle United but City are going strong in the FA Cup and Champions League and are just two points off Premier League frontrunners Liverpool.
Pep Guardiola sets his team’s target
Guardiola is delighted his team are within touching distance of top spot in the league and in two cup competitions after a difficult start to the campaign. He has made still being in the same position in April the club’s next target.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Guardiola said: “What I like is the satisfaction in Luton, when we were in trouble and won, celebrations in the locker room, this is what I like of my team.
“Winning against Brentford; last season we couldn’t. This satisfaction, players know how difficult it is.
“What I like is still we’re there, close to top of the Premier League, in other competitions we’re there, qualified; this is what I like in these stages.
“Hopefully we arrive in March with the same feeling, and in April, and fight for titles in May. This is the target.”
Perfect timing
Once again, Guardiola has timed out the season to perfection.
Every year doubters will wonder if City are losing their touch when they start the campaign slightly slower than they finished the previous one. They will see a couple of defeats and question their quality.
But every year as the business end approaches, City step it up a gear and blow everyone else away.
Guardiola never wants his players to exert themselves too heavily at the start of a campaign as they will burn out when it really matters.
Now City once again are finding their stride at the optimum time. The title race with Liverpool and Arsenal looks exciting but it wouldn’t be surprising if City soon overtake and leave them behind.
