Manchester City face fight to qualify for Champions League, says Pep Guardiola
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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola looking on during his side's 2-0 English Premier League defeat by Liverpool at the Etihad on Feb 23.
PHOTO: REUTERS
MANCHESTER – Manchester City’s eighth English Premier League defeat of the season after their 2-0 home loss to Liverpool on Feb 23 have left them 20 points off the pace set by their opponents, but of more immediate concern for Pep Guardiola is making sure they qualify for the Champions League.
The victory at the Etihad
The reality for City now is that they face a scrap to qualify for Europe’s elite club competition, which they have been ever-present in since 2011. With 12 games remaining, they are in fourth place with 44 points, just five ahead of 10th-placed Fulham.
Guardiola acknowledged that his side have a fight on their hands to secure Champions League qualification.
“If it doesn’t happen it’s because we were not good enough, not because a lack of hunger and desire. We saw it against Newcastle (United) and we saw it again today,” he told reporters on Feb 23, while referring to City’s 4-0 win on Feb 15.
“It is so tight with four or five teams and Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, Aston Villa are so good. It will not be easy, but we will try. If it happens, it’s because we deserve it. If it doesn’t, it’s because we were not good enough.”
City dominated possession against Liverpool but lacked any cutting edge without the injured Erling Haaland and were picked off in clinical fashion by Arne Slot’s relentless side.
Asked about the gap that has opened up between the two sides, Guardiola sounded an upbeat note.
“The distance in the Premier League is a reality. If you analyse the game today, it was really good. We lost so there’s nothing much to say, but the way we played was really good,” he said.
“Both wingers were exceptional – Savinho and Jeremy (Doku) and all the young players. Except Kevin (de Bruyne) and Nathan (Ake), we were such a young team that will be the future of this club. We behaved really good. It was a tight game. We just missed being more creative in the final third.”
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville was less optimistic, suggesting City need a “full reset”.
He told Sky Sports: “This will be painful for Man City but maybe Pep Guardiola needs it, maybe the club needs it. A full reset.
“They have been running at a million miles an hour for years, the title battles against Liverpool. But they have just run out of legs, run out of steam. They’ve grown old together.
“Pep Guardiola is going to have to build a brand new title-winning team. He knows what one looks like, that’s for sure.”
Former Liverpool captain Jamie Carragher added: “Liverpool were in the same position as Manchester City a couple of years ago and they got their recruitment right...
“If City get those two or three players right in midfield, and let’s not forget their recruitment has already started, they will be back challenging next season.”
City visit a resurgent Tottenham Hotspur on Feb 26 when Guardiola hopes to have talismanic striker Haaland back.
“Apparently he’s not injured because the scans dictate that he’s fine, but he didn’t feel fine. Hopefully, he can be back for Spurs,” the Spaniard said. REUTERS
