Not Our Best, But Closer” – How High Can Manchester City Finish
After a stressful close to 2024 months, Pep Guardiola was visibly relieved following Sunday’s destruction of Ipswich 6-0. City playing no less than the scoreline, but also playing well, foreshadowed the brilliance that has been them for long.
“I am really happy for the players; they have suffered a lot lately, but I think we reclaimed something off our identity,” Guardiola shared with Simone Thomas on Sky Sports post-match. “It may not have been our best, but it’s good anyway. We’re closer to what we know we’re capable of.”
City had a miserable November and December, winning only one of its last nine matches. So then hopes for a fifth straight Premier League title appear as good as gone, with the team 12 points adrift of leaders Liverpool, who had played one game fewer. Fourth place in the competition would be the best possible position in case pushed this hard into areas of the season; the win against Ipswich moved them past Newcastle to fourth, with just six points between second Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.
However, Guardiola remained optimistic in the title chase, adding: “Much better today.” “The players realize where we’ve been and where we want to return.” He said, “it’s about winning titles, but it’s about enjoying playing up to the best of your potential.”
Title Dream Remains
Examples like these, with 14 goals in their previous four matches, thereby complement the attack power of City, thus overshadowing it. That goal fest also was something unseen in the current English football season … last seen in the 2017 game when they defeated Watford 6-0.
It is now clear that the most immediate objective for City would shift to a place in the top four, but setting their sights even on winning a miraculous title, fortunately it could still be possible. Liverpool overtook 12 points and could just wipe out into anything. We have seen this far too often – in the 2018-19 season, City was 10 points behind Liverpool heading into the new year but still managed to rally and took it literally by one point at the end.
“I still think there is enough football to be played and knowing City could potentially get another go and battle for the top two. Maybe the title is out of reach, but you can’t write them off just yet.”
Shining Again Foden
Foden comes around with a brace to make it five such strikes in three league matches and bring his season tally to nine. From a poor start to the campaign, He has been rekindled back into his prime form of last year, showing some of the hunger and sparkle that made him one of the country’s golden boys of last year.
“It feels good to be back scoring and enjoying football,” Foden said. “I plan to keep that momentum going in order to help the team stay in the top four.”
Guardiola is hopeful that Foden will follow in the footsteps of Erling Haaland and become a “one-club man”, also praising the young player for overcoming personal challenges earlier in the season and is especially gratified to see him once again enjoying football.
City’s switch to Champions League
Now, the Blues have won three out of their latest four matches and are unbeaten in six, it looks as if Manchester City has gained the momentum they needed so much. The next attention has to be focused on Wednesday’s vital Champions League game with Paris Saint-Germain. It all depends on winning both matches in their final group engagements to proceed through the knockout stages.
Off-camera, the club is already gearing up the signing of new players in the next few months. Defender Kyle Walker increases the speculation of his move to AC Milan by missing the Ipswich match, which could soon be joined by Eintracht Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush in the team — with potential reinforcements such as Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov.
Looking forward
Everything is now looking fine, with the striking power of the team restored and all crucial players playing formational football now. So now, as Mark Schwarzer told the press, “City showed what they’re capable of against Ipswich. If they keep this momentum, they’ll be a force to reckon with.”
While the dream of the fifth title might still be a little out of reach, the possibility of securing Champions League football and, in general, maybe finishing in the top two is really-worldly credible. Guardiola explained that they have to build on what they have been doing and just have to stay true to their standards: the fun of playing the beautiful game the way it should be done.