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Manchester City were on quite a run in the league in 2017/18. They simply took every opponent to pieces that came up to lock horns with them. The fact that they secured an all time high 100 points to seal the Premier League title underlines all that needs to be said.
However, Pep's ambition is not winning a single league title right now. For making a bigger statement, he needs to defend the title at the very least.
The Spaniard has had a wonderful pre-season, and his men delivered a dominant performance in the Community Shield against Chelsea.
The English Champions have an essential season coming up. They need to conquer England again, to put themselves in an altogether different arena.
That said, here are the reasons why the Citizens won't be able to repeat their heroics from the 2017/18 this season.
#3 Champions Curse
The English top flight is a league of total uncertainty and filled with surprises. Here, even a weaker side on paper has the potential to pull off a dream-run and clinch the Premier League title. Just ask Leicester City fans.
On the other hand, there have been instances where the defending champions have been left behind, and finished well short of the top of the table, just like Chelsea in 2015/16.
The recent history hasn't been in the favour of Champions. Manchester United suffered a disastrous campaign in 2013/14 after lifting the 20th title in 2012/13. Chelsea, Leicester City and Chelsea again, had a similar fate in 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18 respectively.
Pep Guardiola needs to be cautious going into this season. The expectations on the defending champions often prove to be a reason for their demise.
The Premier League crown has been weighing too heavy on the holders, and there is no escaping its curse lately.
#2 The redefined objectives
City might have taken the league by storm, but their performances in Europe weren't equally impressive. They were defeated at home firstly by Shakhtar Donetsk in the group stages and thrashed by Liverpool in the quarter-finals.
Guardiola has won the league title and he deserves all the credit for it. But is that the job he was appointed for by the Etihad hierarchy? I guess not.
The Spanish boss has to win the ultimate prize, the Champions League, and he needs to do it now. For a manager who has shelled north of half a billion in transfer fees over two seasons, its more of an obligation now.
There will be a point in this season where Guardiola will be forced to prioritise the Champions League. He cannot rotate the entire playing XI week in and out.
English football runs on a very congested fixture schedule. There is a reason why only Manchester United have secured a treble or even a double (league and Europe) in the history of English football.
Perhaps he'll have to sacrifice the domestic ambition for the greater good.
#1 Weaknesses being exposed
City were truly in an unmatched stride throughout the 2017/18 campaign. By Christmas, it had become clear that the title was well and truly gone. Consequently, this came as a boost to the Etihad side and the battle was half won even before they even stepped on the pitch.
Not a single team dared to play their natural game against them, with the exception of Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool. The Reds absolutely destroyed City in the Champions League, and showed the world that they still had a weakness.
However, no other team had the similar fire-power to stop them. In April, the stage was set for the Manchester derby, and it highlighted a weakness or two in the City.
Despite trailing 2-0, United won 3-2, as they dared to put bodies in the opposing final-third and press the Citizens higher, with more intent.
This is exactly the model all the title contenders would be looking at this season. City won't be given the similar freedom to play. The teams will press exactly where it hurts.
Jose Mourinho and Jurgen Klopp of all other managers have done it in the past. It remains to be seen if Pep can pull yet another rabbit of his hat, or the trophy could be in some different coloured ribbons in May 2019.
