City barely scraped into the Champions League qualifying places last season, with Bernardo admitting the players "didn't try" to make a title push.
However, he insists, things will be different this campaign.
He told the Daily Mail: "It's not about winning or losing, it's about competing for the title. We didn't even give it a try. I think emotional-wise we're definitely back. In terms of being hungry again, we're back.
"I hate losing. You need to be straightforward with your guys. I think the experience was good because first of all we learned how to appreciate what we did in the past, which is not normal. Six titles in seven is ridiculous. It’s probably not going to happen again.
"There is a lot of… I would say guilt. Guilt in all the players, in the manager, in everyone, on not doing better to overcome this situation. We want things to go back to normality and normality at the club is fighting for every title."
Bernardo also discussed his role inside the City dressing room as new club captain.
"I think the biggest task, not just my task but of all the captains, is to create the right balance in the dressing room," Bernardo says. "I would say the right balance is good behaviour and respect in terms of arriving on time, in terms of performing well in training sessions, giving your best for the club. Don't take any shortcuts, don't try to cheat your job.
"You definitely learn who you can go to war with and who you can't in those moments. Hopefully it was a very good lesson for us."