Pep Guardiola has offered a candid assessment of where Manchester City stand among Europe’s elite, suggesting that his side would fall short if they were to face clubs such as Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain or Barcelona at this stage of the season.
Despite City’s strong domestic form and steady progress in cup competitions, the manager believes his team have not yet reached the level required to overcome the continent’s biggest names in the decisive stages of the Champions League.
Speaking with characteristic honesty, Guardiola made it clear that improvement is still needed before City can realistically challenge for European supremacy again.
City arrive at this point of the campaign with confidence growing. A 2-0 victory over Brentford earlier this week secured a place in the EFL Cup semi-finals and extended their winning run to six matches in all competitions.
Four of those wins have come in the Premier League, lifting the Sky Blues to second place and within touching distance of leaders Arsenal. With the season still unfolding, a serious title push remains firmly on the agenda.
In Europe, City are also well positioned in the Champions League league phase and have avoided early drama. Added to that is their progress to the Carabao Cup semi-finals for the first time since lifting the trophy in 2021. On paper, it appears to be a familiar story of consistency and control under Guardiola.
Yet, beneath those results, the City manager sees a team that has not fully reached its peak. For Guardiola, current momentum does not automatically translate into readiness for the sharpest tests the Champions League can offer.
Experience has taught him that the margins at that level are unforgiving, and anything short of excellence is likely to be punished.
Guardiola’s honest verdict on City’s current level
Guardiola’s comments came during his press conference ahead of City’s weekend meeting with West Ham, a fixture that on the surface looks routine but also serves as another step in building rhythm.
Rather than focusing on the positives alone, Guardiola chose to reflect on what lies ahead later in the season, particularly in Europe.
He did not shy away from listing the teams City could encounter in the latter stages of the Champions League, nor from admitting that his side would struggle against them right now. His message was blunt but deliberate, designed to underline the standards he expects from his players.
According to CityXtra, Guardiola said: “In that level [of performance at the moment] we cannot win, arriving in the last stages of the UEFA Champions League against Bayern Munich, PSG, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona, [Real] Madrid, all the big clubs – no!”
The statement stood out not because of pessimism, but because of Guardiola’s deep understanding of the competition. He knows that success in Europe is not built solely on domestic form or winning streaks in November and December. Instead, it demands tactical sharpness, physical intensity and mental strength at precisely the right moment.
Guardiola’s track record gives weight to his words. Few managers can speak with greater authority about the Champions League, having been involved in finals, semi-finals and title-winning campaigns across different clubs and eras. His experience informs his patience, and he is careful not to confuse potential with readiness.
He continued: “I know – when we played two finals of the Champions League, I won it four times as a manager and player, arriving in a lot of semi-finals. I know what is required.”
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For Guardiola, this knowledge is crucial in shaping how City approach the coming months. Rather than pushing his players to believe they are already at their best, he prefers to highlight the gap between where they are and where they need to be.
Man City focus on progress, not perfection
While Guardiola’s assessment may appear harsh, it also carries a sense of reassurance. He is not suggesting that City are incapable of reaching the required level, only that they have not done so yet. The distinction is important, especially in a season that still has many defining moments ahead.
City’s domestic form suggests a team that is finding consistency. Their climb up the Premier League table has been steady rather than spectacular, built on control, efficiency and an ability to manage difficult moments.
Guardiola’s honest verdict on City’s current level shows improvement but not ready yet. He acknowledged the recent form, even if it does not immediately translate into Champions League-winning form.
Crucially, the manager would rather City face their shortcomings now than later. The months of February, March and April are when European campaigns are often defined, and he wants his side to peak during that period rather than before it.
He explained: “But I prefer to be in that position now than in February, March and April, being what I believe we can do better.”