LONDON (AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE) - Pep Guardiola said Manchester City's 2018/19 Premier League success was the toughest title triumph of his illustrious managerial career.
City came from behind to win 4-1 away to Brighton on the final day of the season on Sunday (May 12) - a result that meant the reigning champions finished just a point in front of second-placed Liverpool, who won 2-0 at home to Wolves.
In most seasons, Liverpool's tally of 97 points would have seen them crowned champions.
Guardiola, celebrating his eighth domestic championship in 10 seasons that have featured Spanish LaLiga and German Bundesliga titles with Barcelona and Bayern Munich respectively, was in no doubt about Liverpool's quality.
"We worked a lot," he said. "I have to say congratulations to Liverpool of course. Thank you so much. They helped to push us and to increase our standards from last season.
"To compete against this team pushed us to do what we have done. It's incredible, 198 points in two seasons."
"I think last season Manchester City made the standards," Guardiola added. "That is the level in the Premier League and Liverpool have helped us to be there all the time."
Â
Guardiola's side secured exactly 100 points in winning the title last season but the manager was arguably even more impressed by their efforts this term, even if the overall tally was lower.
"To win the title, we had to win 14 games in a row," he explained.
"For two to three months, we cannot lose one point and we did it all playing in all competitions until the semi-finals of the Champions League.
"It's incredible. Normally, if you get 100 points the tendency is to go down but Liverpool helped us to be consistent.
"This was the toughest title in all my career."
But Guardiola said next season could be even more competitive.
"It will be tougher, but we will be stronger, too," he said.
"When you can win two in a row I have the feeling that next season we will come back and try to be who we are right now."
Sunday's result meant Liverpool's wait for a maiden Premier League title - their last domestic championship was in 1990 - goes on, although they could yet win the Champions League if they beat Tottenham Hotspur when the English rivals meet in a Madrid final on June 1.
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, whose 22 goals this season made him a joint-winner of the Premier League's Golden Boot award, said the Anfield club would challenge again next term.
"We lost only one (Premier League) game all season," the Egypt forward said.
"We gave everything. We got 97 points. We will fight next season for the title."
PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel has admitted Neymar is unlikely to be fit in time for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Manchester United next month.
Neymar: 'Super difficult' for PSG forward to be fit to face
Send your thoughts to theeditor@football365.com Just to chat, truly yours, your biggest fan, this is StanAnswer - he couldn't give two shits. Kroenke out.Kiarian This is on Kroenke and WengerThings do not look good at Arsenal.
Unai Emery: El Mister | Page 157 | Arsenal Mania Forum
La Liga's all-time top goalscorer is Argentine Lionel Messi, who also holds the record for most goals scored in a season with 50 goals in 2011-12. Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Athletic Bilbao's Telmo Zarra, who was the competition's all-time top scorer until 2014, are the only players ever to win the top scorer's award in six seasons.
Messi finishes season leading La Liga in goals, assists, and
Wood double gives Burnley win over Cardiff in relegation scrap
Joe Gomez Says Booing of Virgil van Dijk During Nations League Game 'Didn't Benefit' England class act on and off the field, supporter of the Red Van Dijk and his side will go on to play
Title-chasing Reds require perfect finish, admits Van Dijk
Paul Pogba's penalty run-up 'would not have happened' under Sir Alex Ferguson, says former Manchester United midfielder Kieran Richardson
Man Utd 2-1 West Ham: Paul Pogba scores two penalties in
What is a Politically Exposed Person (PEP)? In order to ensure your organisation fully complies with the latest financial PEP regulations, it is essential that you and your team are aware of who or what a Politically Exposed Person (PEP) could potentially be.
Home » blog » Arsenal have the easiest title run in of the top 4 teams [Graphic] Share with Facebook Tweet on Twitter Send Email Copy to Clipboard Arsenal have the easiest title run in of the
Liverpool and Arsenal favourites to miss out on a place in
Napoli stumble at Fiorentina, Martinez gets Inter back winning Juventus by 11 points after Carlo Ancelotti's wasteful side stuttered to a 0-0 draw at Fiorentina on Saturday, as Lautaro
Napoli stumble at Fiorentina, Martinez gets Inter back winning
Iqbal Hussain proved his coach wrong when his goal helped salvage a well-deserved 1-1 draw with title favourites Tampines Rovers at the Hougang Stadium.
Women's World Cup 2019 preview: What to know when USA takes
sportslifetale.com/soccer/womens-world-cup-2019-preview-what-to-know-when-usa-takes-on-thailand/
The wait is over. The U.S. women's national team will take the field Tuesday to compete in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup with its first match against Thailand in Group F. Thailand, ranked 34th in the world by FIFA, is relatively new to the World Cup stage as it first made the tournament in […]
Draw news | Serendeputy: Newsfeed Engine for the open web
Alaves, also on 17 points, are third, with Sevilla in fourth and Atletico Madrid in fifth. Espanyol's win also means two teams from Barcelona occupy the top two places in La Liga for the first time since December 2004. Second-bottom Rayo Vallecano were beaten 2-1 at home by Getafe, while Eibar and Athletic Bilbao drew 1-1 in a Basque derby.
Here are 10 players to watch for at soccer Women's World Cup 2019. Americans Carli Lloyd and Alyssa Naeher and Canada's Christine Sinclair among the players to watch at the FIFA Women's World Cup.
From Stanway to Pugh: 10 young players to watch at the Women
Ikhsan Fandi signs a two-year deal with Norway second-tier club Raufoss IL to become first Lion in 30 years to join a European team, and the third after his father Fandi Ahmad and V. Sundram Moorthy.
Football: Singapore striker Ikhsan Fandi signs contract with
0 comments:
Post a Comment