Pep Guardiola has reiterated how tough it was for his City side to win the treble last season.
Like at this stage in the last campaign, City found themselves trailing Arsenal in the table, only to pip them to the title in May, one of their three trophies they won during a remarkable season.
Despite no wins in four, and a defeat to Aston Villa last time out, Guardiola is aware that he side has it in them to make up the deficit.
“Do you know how much we struggled last season? We were eight or nine points behind Arsenal, with all the injuries we had…”, said the City boss
“It is normal, that is why we give credit to the treble, because it was so difficult!
“People say “ah Manchester City easy win!” The same team right now, before the Wolves game we were one game away from making the best start ever at this club, this season.
“In this international break, we were top of the league, and we face Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool amnd Aston Villa. They are top top teams!
“Against Aston Villa we did not deserve the win, 100%.”
Rodri was missing for City’s 1-0 defeat to Villa, but Guardiola does not put the loss solely down to his absence.
“Rodri is not here, I have to find a way. Last season was almost all the time there and when he is not there I have to find a way to try to survive”, Pep said.
“Rodri is so important, definitely. But it would be so simplistic to say just for one player. I would say it’s not just that, there are many factors. There are games he didn’t play, the previous season, was really good as well.
“We lack consistency in our process in the last game. We didn’t have the creativity in the game [Villa], the feeling to create chances. I didn’t have that feeling. Because Rodri’s not there, I don’t think so.”
