Three wins have followed the drama laden game against Tottenham Hotspur and the Catalan has admitted how impressed he has been by his players’ response.
Guardiola hailed the squad’s leadership qualities ahead of Monday night’s clash with Leicester City and says the admiration inducing reaction to the Spurs loss is a credit to the players.
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“I prefer if they lead on the field,” he explained.
“I suggest what we have to do but the rest is in their hands.
“Especially after the Champions League, that was a point like, wow, they showed me what they can do.
“Two and half days later, after a tough moment, they fought in incredible sunshine and humidity against an incredible team like Tottenham and after we had to go to Old Trafford and Burnley.
“Everyone expected we’d drop points and we didn’t. That’s not the staff and the manager, that’s the players.”
As we approach the season finale, Guardiola has been keen to stress that in this, the most exciting of title races, he is satisfied with his players’ performance, regardless of what happens.
That is in no small part due to how they have dealt with the competition provided by Liverpool, leading the boss to label the 2018/19 campaign as the toughest of his managerial career.
Indeed, Pep believes the Merseyside outfit are one of the best sides he has ever come up against, which is why his players have left him filled with pride.
“It’s the toughest league I’ve ever played as manager, with the quality from our rival,” he declared.
“In my career as a manager I’ve played against incredible sides, especially two.
“One is Luis Enrique’s Barcelona with Messi, Suarez and Neymar, the second one is Liverpool. They are the best two sides I’ve faced as a manager.
“Last season was incredible but this season we are against an incredible team, that’s why I’m so delighted.
“We were losing by 10 points and most thought ‘it’s gone’ but we didn’t.
“I’m so proud of my players, the Club and the organisation.
“But the truth is we have two more tough games and we have to focus because with Leicester, I was very impressed with what I saw and they way the play.”
