Manchester City’s players have accepted responsibility for the Champions League defeat to Lyon - and know it will be virtually impossible to repeat last season’s record-breaking Premier League title triumph.
But goalkeeper Ederson is adamant Pep Guardiola’s side can become the first team since Manchester United in 2009 to retain their title.
City were stunned by French side Lyon on Wednesday night - losing 2-1 in their opening Champions League tie of the season.
It prompted harsh words from coach Mikel Arteta and the players in the dressing room afterwards.
In Pictures | Manchester City vs Fulham | 15/09/18
Giving an insight into the reaction to that shock defeat, Ederson said: “The team didn’t perform at the level it had been playing in the last few games. Unfortunately, we ended up being punished by our own mistakes.
“It was our own fault, but we also played against a very difficult opponent who played good football and created us lots of problems . It’s a defeat, it’s part of football. We just need to put our heads up and focus on the next game.
“We know that our team has the ability to salvage the situation. Of course, we would have liked to start the competition on the right foot.
“We need to show our level and try to get the win.”
Guardiola is looking for an immediate response against Cardiff on Saturday.
The City manager was heavily critical of his team after last week’s 3-0 win against Fulham - and has been demanding improvement, despite a return of 13 points from a possible 15 this term.
Even if Ederson believes a repeat of last season’s record 100-point haul is unlikely, he insists the focus is winning back-to-back titles for the first time in the club’s history.
“Pep is a very ambitious manager,” he said. “He always wants to win and play well. That’s the mentality he passes on the players and he’s been passing on since I joined Manchester City.
“I think our team absorbed this winning mentality very well as it’s always shown on the pitch. Of course, we aren’t going to be able to win all the games and break all the records like we did last season, but this winning mentality can take us very far.
“That shows how competitive and difficult this championship is (that no team has retained the title since 2009). However, I think if we manage to keep the same style of play and the same pattern, winning game after game, I think we’ll have chances to retain the title.
“It’s going to be difficult. It was almost a perfect championship from our side last season. We reached all of our targets and we enjoyed a very happy season, with great games.
“Repeating what we did last season and breaking all the records again, it’s going to be really difficult.”
