Pep Guardiola says overseeing Manchester City's 20-game winning run in all competitions may be one of the greatest achievements of his glittering career.
Goals from Ruben Dias and John Stones fired City to a 2-1 win over West Ham and moved them 13 points clear of Manchester United at the top of the English Premier League.
City racked up a record 100 points in their title-winning campaign in 2017-18 and won all four domestic trophies the following season but Guardiola believes their current win streak in a season impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic ranks as one of his finest moments.
"In this period, in this era, with this situation, to be able to do 20, maybe it is one of greatest achievements we have done together in our careers," Guardiola said.
The Spaniard added that this could be the "toughest period" to play in England, with teams unable to enjoy one week of rest for three or four months and having to play every three days in a compressed schedule due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"To be on this kind of run - winning, winning, winning - means mental strength," Guardiola said.
Guardiola said the packed schedule was taking its toll despite the manner in which he rotates his squad.
"Mentally it's tough. People start to be tired," he said.
- Juventus were held to a 1-1 draw by Hellas Verona after Cristiano Ronaldo's opener was cancelled out by a Antonin Barak's header. The result leaves Juve seven points adrift of Italian Serie A leaders Inter Milan.
- Ousmane Dembele and Lionel Messi fired Barcelona to a 2-0 win at Sevilla to keep the pressure on La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.
Pep Guardiola
