"We are not the best team in Europe. The last year was incredible, the club earned Jupp lots and lots of praise. This year we do not deserve the praise.
"We're not the best team in Europe. We can improve a lot."
Those words were uttered by none other than Pepe Guardiola, according to Goal.com, in reference to Bayern Munich. The statement is a unique one in that it can be interpreted a number of ways.
The first thing that one thinks upon reading that statement is: How can he possible say that about his team? This is probably the most common reaction. Why? Let us take a look at the team's achievements thus far in 2013-14. Thirteen wins and two draws in 15 Bundesliga with 39 goals scored and seven allowed; the team leads the league with 41 points. No other team in the league has scored as many goals or conceded fewer than Munich in Germany's top league. Furthermore, the team is the only one in the league without a single defeat.
In Champions League, Munich finished with five wins and one loss; that was the lone defeat that the team has experienced thus far this season. By all accounts Munich is the favorite to repeat as Champions in that tournament.
So here goes the question again: How can he possible say that about his team?
The main reason may be humility for his team. No one is going to believe that this team lacks confidence in itself at this point. There has been no reason for Munich to believe that it is not the best. The 3-2 loss against Manchester City on Tuesday, which resulted from a blown 2-0 lead, is similar to the sides 2-0 loss against Arsenal in the round of 16 last season. Did United go on to win three trophies despite that defeat? That would be a resounding Yes.
Guardiola is obviously taking in his first major defeat as the manager of the team and attempting to maintain perspective.
But does he actually mean what he's saying?
That would be a resounding No. Who could possibly be better? Manchester City? No one would take that wager. Borussia Dortmund, the team that is struggling in the Bundesliga? Or how about Barcelona, the team that has struggled offensively without Lionel Messi and was destroyed 7-0 by Munich last year? The only team that could measure up to Munich at this point in time is Real Madrid; however, the team's defensive woes are well documented.
Munich is still the best team in Europe, regardless of what Guardiola says. And he knows it.