
Pep Guardiola Credits ‘Another Body Language’ for Manchester City Revival
Manchester City may have stumbled out of the gate this season, but Pep Guardiola insists the champions are very much back on track — and he knows exactly why. The City boss says a change in “body language” has sparked his team’s resurgence after a tricky start to the 2025-26 campaign.
City have now gone five games unbeaten in all competitions, a run capped off by a dominant 5-1 victory over Burnley at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. Erling Haaland led the way with two more goals, Matheus Nunes added one of his own, and Clarets defender Maxime Esteve had the misfortune of scoring twice at the wrong end.
After a nervy opening few weeks that saw City lose back-to-back league matches against Tottenham and Brighton, Guardiola now believes his players are back to their relentless best — and he has one particular star who has wowed him more than most.
Another Body Language: Guardiola Explains City’s Transformation
Speaking after the Burnley game, Guardiola pointed to City’s 3-0 demolition of Manchester United two weeks ago as the moment everything changed.
“I think since the United game the team show another way, another body language,” Guardiola told reporters. “Even when they were not playing good against Arsenal, how they defend, how they help each other in that many times. It’s the key for everything.”
That emphasis on energy and togetherness has been visible in recent performances. City’s pressing game looks sharper, their passing snappier, and their attitude far more ruthless than it was during their early-season wobble.
Guardiola has built his career on meticulous tactical detail, but he has never been shy about highlighting the emotional side of football. To him, body language is not just about how players celebrate goals — it’s about how they react when things go wrong, how quickly they recover after losing possession, and how they support their teammates when under pressure.
Haaland Back Among the Goals
Of course, it helps when you have Erling Haaland in form. The Norwegian striker was at his devastating best against Burnley, taking his tally to eight league goals this season.
Haaland’s first came from close range after good work by Jeremy Doku down the left, while his second showcased his trademark movement, timing his run perfectly to latch onto a through ball before calmly slotting past the keeper.
When Haaland is firing, City often look unstoppable. The fact he’s now scored in four of his last five appearances will be music to Guardiola’s ears ahead of a busy October schedule.
Pep Guardiola ‘Wowed’ by Jeremy Doku

Manchester City v Burnley – Premier League Guardiola
Haaland may have grabbed the headlines, but Guardiola was quick to shine a spotlight on winger Jeremy Doku. The Belgian, who has sometimes been criticised for lacking end product, was a constant menace for Burnley and set up Haaland’s opener with a clever assist.
“I ask the wingers in the final third to go one versus one or one versus two and I have the feeling that Jeremy’s decision-making in the final third improved, like, wow!” Guardiola said, clearly delighted. “Comparing to the past, he made an assist to Erling and sees the channels.”
The City boss praised Doku for learning how to read situations better, recognising when to take defenders on and when to release the ball. “When Jeremy goes there for the second goal, two or three opponents go there. They don’t allow him to go one versus one because he’s unstoppable,” Guardiola explained. “There is no winger over five-ten metres stronger than Jeremy – he can go left or right. Now he is reading when the opponents go two or three who the other man is to be free to create a cross or an extra pass. He improved a lot.”
That improvement could prove crucial as City look to maintain momentum across three competitions. With Jack Grealish still nursing an injury and Phil Foden often playing centrally, Doku’s ability to stretch defences and create chaos in the final third gives Guardiola another valuable weapon.
City’s Week of Progress
The Burnley thrashing capped off a highly productive week for the defending champions. First came a routine 2-0 win over League One side Huddersfield in the Carabao Cup, a result that allowed Guardiola to rotate his squad and give minutes to fringe players. Then came the demolition of Burnley, which not only kept City climbing the table but also further boosted their confidence after a sluggish start.
Their only blip in this five-game run was the 1-1 draw with Arsenal last Sunday — a hard-fought battle that many pundits described as a fair result given the balance of play. The key takeaway for Guardiola is that even when City are not at their scintillating best, they are proving difficult to beat again.
Next Challenges: Monaco and Brentford
City’s focus now turns to Europe, where they face a tricky trip to Monaco in the Champions League on Wednesday. The French side are known for their attacking flair, and Guardiola will expect his players to show the same intensity and body language that has turned their domestic form around.
After that, it’s back to the Premier League with a potentially tricky trip to Brentford on Sunday, just before the international break. Thomas Frank’s side have caused City problems in recent seasons with their direct style, so Guardiola will demand full focus from his squad.
Then, following the break, City will welcome Everton to the Etihad on October 18 — a match they will be strong favourites to win but one that could test their patience if Sean Dyche’s men sit deep and frustrate.
Guardiola’s Message: Keep the Body Language Right
For Guardiola, the recipe for success seems simple: keep the energy high, keep the attitude positive, and keep the body language sharp.
The Catalan coach knows how quickly a season can unravel if standards slip, but he has also seen how momentum can snowball when his players buy into the process. If Haaland keeps scoring, Doku keeps dazzling, and the squad maintains its renewed sense of unity, City may well be back on course to challenge on all fronts once again.
The slow start may have worried some, but as Guardiola himself says, this team is showing “another way” now — and that could spell trouble for the rest of Europe.
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