Pep Guardiola has claimed that Manchester City’s stunning run of success boils down to the club’s financial strength.
City recorded their 19th successive win in all competitions – a record for an English top-flight side – as they eased to a 2-0 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday.
Guardiola has had to deal with accusations throughout his career that his successes at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and now City, are largely down to the good fortune of having star-studded playing rosters.
Rather than deny it, Guardiola has decided to overlook over the factors behind his achievements and play up to the cynics.
“We have a lot of money to buy a lot of incredible players,” he said. “All the time we win for the money – that is true. Without good quality players we cannot do it.”
There was certainly no doubting the quality of a lot of their play as they outclassed the Bundesliga side in the Hungarian capital.
Joao Cancelo, ostensibly playing at left-back but operating more as a midfield playmaker, was outstanding and it was from his crosses that both goals came.
Bernardo Silva headed home the opener on 29 minutes, before setting up the second for Gabriel Jesus after the hour mark with a cushioned header from another Cancelo delivery.
Defensively, City were again rock solid. Their clean sheet was their 24th of the campaign, surpassing their tally for the entire 2019-20 season.
Guardiola said: “We have been incredibly solid and we’ve won 19 games in a row but, for the team, everything is involved.
“For the defenders to concede just one (shot) on target, you have to earn this, all of them, because you made an incredible effort up front with Rash (Sterling), Phil (Foden), Gabriel, Bernardo, (Ilkay) Gundogan, everyone.
“That is why the opponents come in those positions and have difficult problems. That’s why we defend well. Football is not attack and defence, it is all together.”
City face West Ham next in the Premier League at 12.30 on Saturday.
