Manchester City's New Target: Pep Guardiola Aims For Champions League Qualification

Manchester City are targeting to qualify for next season's Champions League amid a less impressive league performance (Instagram/@mancity).

JAKARTA - Pep Guardiola said that qualifying for the Champions League would make the Manchester City season very successful.

The Citizens, champions of the Premier League in the last four seasons, are fifth in the table this season with 10 games remaining.

Guardiola had to face a number of injuries to key players, including the absence of Ballon d'Or winner Rodri since September 2024.

The Manchester City manager believes that because of the problems he faces, securing Champions League qualification will be a significant achievement.

"Losing to the Champions League would be a huge success, but you have to win it (the league game)."

"I want to qualify for the Champions League. (If Manchester City fails) it won't be good. I saw what happened to other teams in the Premier League before."

"Not qualifying for the Champions League will be a problem, but there are teams that don't qualify who have risen and are there," Guardiola said.

Manchester City can finish fifth and still qualify for the Champions League. The strong performance of England's teams in the UEFA tournament means the Premier League is on track to get where the extra Champions League is.

It could be a safety net for Manchester City. However, Guardiola said it would not be a problem if his team could not build a straight win between now and the end of the season.

"Whether there are five or six or seven (places), you have to win the game. In sports, in game knockout systems, sometimes details make a difference."

"However, in the Premier League for 38 matches, if you can't finish in the first four or five, that's because we weren't good enough," he said.

Manchester City will next take action against Brighton, who are sixth at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, March 15, 2025.

They wanted to bounce back from their 0-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend. Guardiola said after the game that his team was unable to move the ball fast enough.

Meanwhile, Ruben Dias has stated that part of his problem is the dry field at City Ground.

"With a dry field, things get a little more difficult. Last season here, Fulham was the same way. It depends on the weather as well and the good intentions of everyone to speed up the game."

"We're still there, trying to find space. They have a low block and we have to be versatile to find space because space will remain there one way or another. Always try to do something better," said Dias.