Guardiola Confía en el City para Asegurar un Puesto en la Champions League
Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola expressed his confidence that his team will secure one of the top five places in the Premier League, which would guarantee them qualification for next season’s Champions League.
Although the Premier League title is already secured by Liverpool, and Arsenal also has a guaranteed place in the top five, the fight for the remaining three places is open.
Newcastle United, Chelsea, and Aston Villa have a combined 66 points after 37 matches, while City is in sixth position with 65 points and one match pending.
The last time City failed to qualify for Europe’s elite club competition was in the 2009-10 season.
If we’re not there [Champions League], then we don’t deserve it and we’ll be in the Europa League. It is what it is,” Guardiola told reporters before Tuesday’s home match against Bournemouth, who are in 11th place.
Pep Guardiola
“I’m thinking we’re going to qualify. My thoughts and the way I think, I believe that. We need four points. That is the main objective. I am absolutely [confident in qualifying],” Guardiola added.
City seeks to recover from the defeat in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace.
The match against Bournemouth will be City’s last home game this season, before visiting Fulham on the final day of the Premier League.
The match against Bournemouth will also mark the last home game for Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who announced that he will leave the club at the end of the season after ten successful years.
“We want to win the match so we can qualify for the Champions League next season, this is what Kevin wants, it couldn’t be any other way,” Guardiola commented.
“I will decide what is best for us to win the match against Bournemouth, that’s for sure. Kevin will get what he deserves, and what he deserves is the best moment and the best compliment for his incredible career.”
