Pep Guardiola Assures Manchester City Fans Of Champions League Qualification

‎Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, said on Monday that he was “absolutely” confident his team can secure a top-five finish in the Premier League.

‎Achieving this would guarantee them a place in the Champions League next season.

‎Liverpool have already clinched the Premier League title, and Arsenal secured a top-five finish on Sunday.

‎The battle for the other three Champions League spots is still open.

‎Newcastle United, Chelsea, and Aston Villa each have 66 points after 37 matches, while Manchester City is sixth with 65 points and a game in hand.

‎The last time City failed to qualify for Europe’s elite club competition was in the 2009-10 season.

‎”If we are not there (Champions League), then we don’t deserve it and will be in the Europa League. It is what it is,” Guardiola told reporters ahead of Tuesday’s home game against 11th-placed Bournemouth.

‎”I am thinking we are going to qualify. My thoughts and the way I think I think that. We need four points. That is the main target. I am absolutely (confident of qualifying)”.

‎City are looking to recover from Saturday’s shock 1-0 loss against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final.

‎”We played a really good final, not enough to win it. And we have the last two games; we need four points next year to be in the Champions League. This is enough, and everyone has to be aware of that,” Guardiola said.

‎”Newcastle won the Carabao Cup (League Cup), Liverpool won the Premier League and City won the Community Shield. The other teams didn’t win anything,” the Spaniard added.

‎City’s game against Bournemouth will be their final home fixture of the season, with the club taking a trip to 10th-placed Fulham for the last Premier League round on Sunday.

‎Kevin De Bruyne’s upcoming match against Bournemouth will be his last home game for Manchester City.

‎The 33-year-old has announced he will leave the club at the end of the season after ten successful years.

‎”We want to win the game so we can qualify for the Champions League next season – this is what Kevin wants, it couldn’t be otherwise,” Guardiola said.

‎”I am going to decide what is the best for us to win the game against Bournemouth, that is for sure. Kevin will get what he deserves, and what he deserves is the best moment and the best compliment for his incredible trajectory.”