Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has revealed why his team could not deliver the Premier League title last season.
The Spaniard appeared to blame fatigue among his players for their failure to defend the title.
Liverpool were the Premier League winners last season, with Arne Slot claiming the trophy in his very first attempt.
The relentless nature of the schedule is putting clubs under pressure, as players suffer injuries almost every game.
Guardiola said his team failed to perform when expected, but added that he understands teams need to do better to win the title.
Speaking at his pre-match press briefing at the weekend, the former Barcelona coach said: “It is not good. When you play better, you run less. But it shows good spirit, that is a good point.
“Last season, when we could have run, we didn’t run. Our level was not good, and that was all the time.
“I’m not naive to understand that you have to do better, but at the same time I am an incredibly positive and optimistic person, and I want to see the good things we have done.”
Ahead of this weekend’s matches, Pep Guardiola’s side sit second in the Premier League, five points behind league leaders Arsenal.
EPL: Pep Guardiola explains why Man City couldn’t win title last season
