Pep Guardiola faces uphill battle as Manchester City aim to recapture Treble triumph

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Coach Pep Guardiola feels it is "almost impossible" for Manchester City to repeat last season's treble-winning heroics. </p>

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City will begin the 2023-24 campaign as favourites in all competitions but Guardiola is not expecting a repeat of last term, when his side claimed Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup success. </p>

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"It feels like it finished yesterday but we start again," said the City manager, whose side travel to Burnley for their Premier League opener on Friday. </p>

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"I don't think it will be possible to do what we did last season, it's once in a lifetime. I said to the players forget about it. </p>

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"We climbed the highest mountain last season but we have come down that mountain now. We start from the same as everyone else, with the same intention and there will be a lot of difficulties to climb the mountain again. </p>

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"What we have done remains in our hearts and minds but it's over. </p>

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"The history speaks for itself but it is almost impossible to repeat." </p>

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Guardiola, speaking at a press conference, was unwilling to comment on speculation linking the club with a move for West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta. </p>

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He said: "I will not answer about Paqueta. He is a West Ham player." </p>

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The City boss also offered no updates on the situation concerning full-back Kyle Walker, who has been linked with Bayern Munich throughout the summer. </p>

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"We are wishing he stays but there is no news," Guardiola said. </p>

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Another player who has been the subject of speculation is youngster Cole Palmer, who scored City's goal in their Community Shield loss to Arsenal last weekend. </p>

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The 21-year-old is reportedly the subject of a loan bid from West Ham. </p>

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Guardiola said: "Cole is with us. Today he is with us. What is going to happen, I don't know. </p>

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"I understand completely that he wants to be more active than the previous season, but Riyad (Mahrez) has gone, so we have one more place there. </p>

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"We will see. I cannot say anything because the last decisions belong to the club. The club have to decide what is best." </p>

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Friday's trip to Turf Moor will see Guardiola come up against his former captain Vincent Kompany, who has guided the Clarets back to the top flight at the first attempt. </p>

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Guardiola said: "Normally the first games are difficult, especially against newly-promoted teams because they have nothing to lose and the energy, the dream to do a good season. </p>

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"Apart from that, Vinny knows us well and he is doing an incredible job. </p>

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"He has changed the way Burnley play completely and they destroyed the Championship. It will be a tough, tough game." </p>

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<p>The article <a href="https://www.planetsport.com/soccer/news/pep-guardiola-faces-uphill-battle-as-manchester-city-aim-to-recapture-treble-triumph">Pep Guardiola faces uphill battle as Manchester City aim to recapture Treble triumph </a> appeared first on Planetsport.com.</p>