Pep Guardiola sends Man City performance level warning after Ipswich drubbing
- Guardiola's City in complete control as Ipswich swatted aside 6-0 at Portman Road
- Phil Foden scored twice in first half to put game beyond Tractor Boys
- City's confidence building after period of sustained struggle
Pep Guardiola warned Manchester City are close to finding the levels that have seen the reigning Premier League champions dominate English football for the last decade.
City were in inspired form against Ipswich Town on Sunday and ran out convincing 6-0 winners at Portman Road. Phil Foden (2), Mateo Kovacic, Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland and James McAtee were on target in East Anglia, catipulting the club back into the top four after they had started the day down in eighth.
Though there are some elements of City's game still to be ironed out, Guardiola said after the game that his team are doing plenty of things right as they bid to ensure they qualify for next season's Champions League.
"We are really pleased, we are back to doing things that define this team for the last 10 years," Guardiola told Sky Sports after the game. "Really pleased for the three points and to climb into qualification for the Champions League for next season, that will be so tough.
"Much better. Maybe not our best but closer with the consistency we have in our game. Most of them didn't happen in the previous games that we won.
"With the way we went without the ball, you cannot play in the short spaces. Everyone with the ball was clever, quicker, faster. Everyone is related. You cannot be quick, wise and good if you are not connected defensively."
Guardiola admitted that his mind had turned to the midweek Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain before the game had even finished, with City needing two positive results to ensure they qualify for the play-off round in this season's revamped competition.
“After four or five nil I had my eye on Paris,” he confirmed. “We have to travel a long way. I want to say thank you so much to our fans.
“Again away, it’s not easy to come here, it’s a long trip and I’m really pleased to perform in that way for them. They can go back and have some beer on the train and enjoy our moments together. Thank you so much.
“Whenever we go on these long trips they join us. We will be back late and prepare for a final. We have two finals, winning two we qualify, winning one there’s a big possibility. We have to get the points because we created problems ourselves especially with Feyenoord.
“Even the game we lost in Lisbon. But in that moment we had a lot of problems. We could not compete the way we want for many reasons. Hopefully we can continue in Paris for the next game.”
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