You take English soccer by surprise, set new standards, and now get criticized for not being at your extreme best. That has been the story of treble-winning Manchester City recently. The team is being ripped apart by experts for its recent form on the pitch. The club’s coach, Pep Guardiola, is now hitting back at the jabs by claiming that too much is being demanded from them in comparison to the other clubs.

This season seems to follow a different pattern. The most successful club in the league in the last decade has not been dominant. What’s gone wrong? And how has the master tactician played his cards in front of the media?

Pep Guardiola hits back at criticism after being ‘the main favorites’

The Spaniard is evidently feeling the heat from the soccer world. While many ex-players lashed out at the team, even their own former players joined the bandwagon. But claiming to be the only club that’s getting the reproval, Pep Guardiola stated, “For many years, we’re the main favorites, candidates to win everything. When we were out in the semi-finals of the #UCL, oh it’s a big disaster. This was our levels. What they demand to us, they don’t demand to the other ones my friends, at all.”

Even though clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal receive the wrath from the media, this year it has been more on the FA Cup Champions. Arsenal was taken aback last year after dropping their lead and losing out to Manchester City. But the manager claims that it’s only his team that is being bashed the most.

The team, however, was praised immensely last season after their treble win. Spearheaded by UEFA Player of the Year, Erling Haaland, the team went on a rampage, which set a different level of expectations for the fans which has seemingly backfired this season. On the other hand, the club hasn’t won any of the last four league games which is very unusual.

Too soon to rule out a Manchester City comeback

After giving games away in the dying minutes despite having a goal advantage, Pep Guardiola’s men are seeming to slip away from the league title this year. The team was in a similar situation last year, but it was only Arsenal that was in direct competition. This year, Liverpool and Aston Villa are also playing a role in unsettling the Sky Blues.

READ MORE – “Asking for Too Much”- Pep Guardiola’s Unorthodox Tactics Fired Back at Him Against Aston Villa

The current Manchester City team is strongly capable of a lethal comeback. Even though they lost important players in Riyadh Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan, the return of their most valuable asset, Kevin De Bruyne, is expected to happen soon. Are we heading towards a display of dominance from Manchester City in the second half of the season? Let us know in the comments below.

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