Guardiola full of admiration for opposite number Conte
City travel to Chelsea
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has heaped praise on Chelsea manager Antonio Conte ahead of this evening's clash at Stamford Bridge.
"I think we're playing much better football but we have maybe had some growing pains and made a few mistakes that in the end cost us a few points.''
The Spaniard says despite winning the Champions League and league titles in both Spain and Germany he still has plenty to learn from his Italian counterpart who looks set to win the Premier League in his first season with Chelsea.
City go into the game 11 points behind the Blues who suffered defeat last time out against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Guardiola said: "My opinion about my colleague Conte is that he's superb, maybe he's the best. How he was able to make Italy play beautiful football, Juventus too, in a culture where it's so defensive.
"He's an excellent manager. I learn a lot when I see his teams - Juventus, Italy and now. Their teams control a lot of aspects. It's a good lesson for me to see his teams and learn.''
Despite arriving in the summer having won a combined 21 trophies during his time at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Guardiola has struggled to replicate that success with City so far, falling away in the title race and being knocked out of the Champions League in the last 16.
They are still in the FA Cup and take on Arsenal in the semi-finals, but in comparison to Conte, the Spaniard admits he hasn't been able to live up to expectation.
"In my case I had to win the treble and change English football. Expectations were quite high, that's why I'm going to fall short. Definitely, I cannot have success this season.
"I knew from the beginning they'd have a good season.
"They started the season so-so but after that they settled the way they want to play and the fact they have a week to work on many things helps a lot. It's a big advantage if you have time.
"I think a lot of games we've played a lot of good football - I didn't expect that high level - but then also we were not solid.''
Guardiola does not think Chelsea will be affected by nerves in the run-in as a result of their loss to Palace.
"I don't think so,'' he said.
"They will be more focused. When you win 10, 11 or 12 games in a row, the danger is to be relaxed. You are winning and have a points advantage.
This evening's game also marks a return to Stamford Bridge for City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne.
The Belgian believes Guardiola has the team playing in a positive manner and results will begin to show that.
"He likes to play beautiful football, that's no mistake.
"It's not that he's stubborn or something, he just tries to play the way he always played with his teams.
"He's convinced this is the right way for City to play so I think people are probably harsh on him because his track record is unbelievable.