Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola has emphasised the importance of their final two Premier League matches, stating that they are “massive” for the club’s short-term future. The Sky Sports reported that City’s underwhelming campaign will end without silverware following their 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final. As a result, their attention turns back to securing a spot in Europe’s showpiece tournament, with their fate still in their hands.
According to Sky Sports, victories in their final games of the Premier League season, at home to Bournemouth on Tuesday and at Fulham next weekend, will be enough to secure a place in the top five. However, currently, they are outside of the Champions League qualification places. “We need four points to be in the Champions League, that is enough and everyone has to be aware of that,” said Guardiola, as quoted by Sky Sports.
The Sky Sports report also noted that Guardiola stressed the importance of qualifying for the Champions League, not just for Manchester City, but for other teams as well. “It’s important to qualify for other teams apart from Newcastle, who won the Carabao Cup, Liverpool won the Premier League, Man City won the Community Shield. The other teams didn’t win trophies,” he said. “Chelsea can win a title (Conference League) and Man Utd and Tottenham can win the Europa League; the other teams are expecting to qualify for the Champions League. It’s important for every club.”
As per the Sky Sports article, Guardiola also mentioned that he is optimistic about City’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League. “I’m thinking we’re going to qualify. I control my mind and I think that. We need two victories or four points,” he said. “The first step is to finish in third position in the Premier League. That is my target. We will give everything to try and do it.”
The Sky Sports report also highlighted that Kevin De Bruyne, who is leaving Manchester City when his contract expires this summer, will play at the Etihad Stadium for one last time in a City shirt against Bournemouth on Tuesday. However, Guardiola offered no guarantee that De Bruyne will start the match. “What Kevin wants is that we win the game to qualify for the Champions League next season. That is what Kevin wants. It cannot be otherwise,” he said.
In addition, Sky Sports reported that the club are planning to pay tribute to De Bruyne after the game, with a guard of honour from team-mates and backroom staff, as well as a light show with pyrotechnics. Meanwhile, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola acknowledged that his side face an uphill fight to seal European football, but recognised that the most difficult result they need is against Manchester City.
The match between Manchester City and Bournemouth will be live on Sky Sports on Tuesday, with coverage starting at 7pm on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League, and kick-off at 8pm. From next season, Sky Sports‘ Premier League coverage will increase from 128 matches to at least 215 games exclusively live, with 80 per cent of all televised Premier League games next season to be shown on Sky Sports.
Source link
