Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is saying all the right things when it comes to the fixture congestion he’s dealing with right now. The Spaniard is in the midst of three games in six days against the giants of northwest England, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Win on Saturday and the Citizens clinch the Premier League title at home versus their most hated rivals, Manchester United. Guardiola maintains that the focus of his team is on the Manchester derby right now. Immediately after the result, win, lose or draw, the fixation then turns to the second leg of the Champions League. Guardiola insisted, despite his side being down 3-0 to Liverpool on aggregate that the quarterfinal tie is not over.
“We’ll think about the Champions League immediately after Manchester United,” Pep said.
“We want to create a good rhythm. (Liverpool) are almost qualified for the semifinals. It’s almost closed but there is a little bit open.
“We are going to try. We are going to pick to win, there is no doubt, but there will be one eye on Tuesday. Whatever happens tomorrow we’ll have six more chances.”
“I’m not answering any questions about if we win. I’m focused on the game. The (supporters) are going to be correct and hopefully nothing will happen.
“We have three massive games, with Tottenham too, with three days between the games. We’ll have to see their conditions. We’ll prepare the team to win the game.”
For City, it’s obviously a dream scenario to clinch the title at home versus United, and they will need to take all three points to do so. If they draw or lose however, the title still inevitably belongs to them. It may just mean another or week or two before it can be claimed. One might expect that he’ll field a weaker side against United tomorrow; saving his stronger side for Tuesday night against Liverpool.
Manager Press Conference Videos: Mourinho at this link, Guardiola at this link
Injury Report: go to this link
United starting XI prediction: go to this link
City Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Odds via Bet365 City 17/20 United 3/1 Draw 13/5
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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