Manchester City crowned champion – For Pep Guardiola, the Premier is an obsession: “the most important competition”

That’s it, Manchester City has its second chance. That of winning, “finally”, a Champions League, after the failure of 2021 against Chelsea. It will be June 10, in Istanbul, against Inter Milan. That day, the Cityzens will possibly celebrate an incredible triple championship – FA Cup – C1. In three weeks, we will know. In any case, the title is done.

How exciting these three weeks will be to follow, seen from the outside. But they will be intense to live for the main concerned, who want to do things in order. “A lull after qualifying against Real? No, it’s non-stop, and now comes the hardest thing. All tennis players who serve to win Wimbledon know that’s the hardest part,” launched Pep Guardiola on Friday, at a press conference.

City already hold their 9th title

City have already laid the foundation stone for their treble potential. Thanks to Arsenal who stumbled on the lawn of Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening and formalized the ninth league title in Sky Blues history from a distance. The shock against Chelsea will turn into a celebration match (5:00 p.m.).

Winning the English championship is not an easy mission to accomplish. The PL has even become the most expensive competition in the eyes of Guardiola. “Sunday is in our hands, to win the most important competition. The Premier League is the most important because for 11 months it’s every week.”

A majority of observers for sure, of supporters without getting too wet, and of players possibly, think otherwise. Because the Champions League is THE major title that Manchester City lacks. The one after whom Guardiola, who has only trained European behemoths since his debut, has been running since 2011.

Who knows, maybe the real goal of the Catalan technician is the C1. Let him communicate in this way to remove some pressure around this European quest. But honestly, we don’t really believe it.

To understand why Guardiola values ​​the Premier League so much, you have to measure how difficult it is to win it. The Catalan, he understood it from his first season in England. City had settled for third place, fifteen points behind Chelsea, champions, and with a ticket to the Champions League won at the cost of a fierce fight: Arsenal, 5th, was only three points away.

Like United and Liverpool

Manchester City finishing 15 points behind the leader, that’s a far-fetched idea today. Part of that is Guardiola’s legacy. The Cityzens were crowned for the fifth time in seven seasons under the orders of the former Bayern coach. The fifth time… in the last six seasons. A certain idea of ​​excellence and regularity.

This is also what must be understood. City can officially sit at the table of the ultra-dominant Manchester United between the late 90s and the beginning of the 2000s, but also the Liverpool of the 80s. The only two other teams to have managed to win five titles in six seasons of Premier League.

At the moment, City is quite simply the most powerful team in the Kingdom. Historically, the Mancunian club is preparing to join the top 4, tied with Everton (9 titles), far behind Arsenal (13), Liverpool (19) and United (20). But it will always be better than Chelsea, which was not the case before Guardiola arrived.

“I love myself a lot, but I never would have thought of it. I couldn’t imagine doing what we did in the Premier League, admitted Guardiola. I realized after 5, 6, 7 matches in the Premier League, how difficult it was.”

Thanks to a coherent project, sometimes revolutionary tactical ideas, singular management, a real sense of adaptation… and absolutely excessive financial means, let’s not forget, Guardiola braved this difficult time. When he leaves, Champions League or not in the luggage, his footprint will be immense. This is what makes the Premier League unique in everyone’s eyes. To his in particular.