Sagna reveals motivation behind Man City start

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Sagna reveals motivation behind Man City start

The right-back says he and his team-mates keep reminding themselves of how their season fell apart under Manuel Pellegrini last time out
Bacary Sagna says Manchester City are being spurred on by the spectre of last season’s collapse under Manuel Pellegrini.


City have won all 10 of their games under Pep Guardiola so far this season and sit top of the Premier League table, holding a four point lead over second-placed Tottenham.

But the Blues won their first five games of last season without conceding a goal, only to fall apart and eventually finish fourth, 15 points behind champions Leicester and level with Louis van Gaal’s struggling United side.

And although Guardiola continues to stress that the best is yet to come, Sagna says he and his team-mates are trying to keep themselves grounded by thinking back to last year’s struggles.

“Last season we started really well, and we have to keep remembering what happened,” the right-back told reporters. “We started with five wins, didn't concede a goal and at the end of the day we finished fourth.

“We have to remember that and keep working hard as a team – on the pitch there's a great spirit from everyone. We are all pressing really hard and giving our maximum, and as long as we do that we can achieve great things.”

Sagna also praised City striker Sergio Aguero after his two goals at Swansea City helped bring up that 10th victory of the season.

Guardiola says he wants to see better link-up play and more defensive effort from Aguero, who now has 11 goals in six games so far this season, but Sagna sees nothing wrong with the Argentine’s effort.

“He is one of the best players I have played with, not just because he scores goals but also because of his attitude – he always wants to give his maximum for his team and bring the team up,” he added.

“His two goals showed his class. He has such desire in front of the box, and in the box itself.
He is great.”