Guardiola believes City could be improving on champion form

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola reckons Manchester City may be playing at an even higher level than the one they achieved in winning the Premier League title in record-breaking style last season. 

The City manager saw his side beat Brighton 2-0 in comfortable fashion at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, with goals from Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero.

It was a result that meant the reigning champions had dropped just two points — in a draw at Wolves — during their first seven league games.

City’s results are all the more impressive given they have been without Kevin De Bruyne, arguably their best player last season, who is yet to kick a ball this term having injured his knee on the eve of the new campaign.

And Guardiola insisted the attitude of his players has helped City reach the same — if not higher — heights than they did last term, a claim that will be tested in Sunday’s visit to Liverpool.

“Most of the time we are playing even better than last season,” said Guardiola. “After the kind of season we had, we had fears we might drop points. We dropped two at Wolves but in general all the performances were good.”

However, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss warned: “But it is only September. The two games before the international break will be so important for us. 

“With that spirit, the way we play, people are focused on the normal things — set-pieces, throw-ins, defence, what we’re doing without the ball.”

– Aguero injury worry –

Aguero wrapped up the win, playing a superb role in making and claiming the second goal, after 64 minutes only for Guardiola to immediately replace him and reveal he is struggling with a heel injury ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League visit to Hoffenheim.

“Sergio is struggling a little bit with some problem in his foot, he is not 100 percent,” said Guardiola.

“He’s not recovered after his injury against Newcastle (last month) and we spoke about him playing 50–55 minutes. We were lucky he scored a goal in the right moment.

“Hopefully he will be okay for Tuesday. We’re controlling the injury, we’re fighting it but he needs time. Now we have two games before the international break, hopefully he can do those and, after, make a final recovery.”

Having played a one-two with David Silva, Aguero dribbled 30 yards, beating four defenders in the process, before playing the ball wide to Sterling and continuing his run. 

from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/2NNp0MN