Last Sunday’s absorbing 2-1 Carabao Cup final win over Aston Villa made it two trophies out of two for the Club this season, following on from last August’s success in the Community Shield.
With Guardiola’s side also having won all four domestic trophies last term, our latest League Cup win extended the Club’s remarkable sequence of success to six out of six domestic prizes.
But, quizzed at his pre-match press conference ahead of our FA Cup fifth round trip to Sheffield Wednesday, about what would constitute a successful season this year, the City boss insisted the manner of how his side performed as much as silverware was the ultimate barometer for him.
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“At the end of the season, I will answer but I’m not so demanding about my team - only about being who we are,” declared Guardiola.
“When we play bad, it’s a chance to play better in next game. Our emotional approach, our bravery, courage… that’s what I want to see.
“In terms of success or no success, there are some seasons where you don’t win titles but for the players and manager it’s an exceptional season for the fact of how you improved as a team.
“For the media and people, yes, we will be judged on how many titles and prizes we win and, of course, that’s important
“At the end of the season, I will give you my opinion on how our season was.
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“Of course, trophies are amongst the most important (barometers) but as a manager, it’s not the only one.
“We can see how players were better than last season, that the way we played was better, how we reacted in bad moments,
“How we handled playing without two of the most incredible central defenders in Vinnie (Kompany) and Aymeric (Laporte), how the new players settle.
“There are many, many things you judge. It’s not just: when you win a title, good; when you don’t, bad.
“A team can arrive in the finals, can be fighting in the league until the last moment and still lose all the titles – is that a bad season?
“I don’t think so, but other people can say what they feel.”
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