The Nine Remaining Matches Are Like Finals For Manchester City

Manchester City will consider the remaining nine Premier League matches as finals to qualify for the Champions League (Instagram/@mancity).

JAKARTA - Although Pep Guardiola and Manchester City are in a very unlikely position as they have to fight desperately to get a place in the Champions League next season, the manager is not fussy about describing the magnitude of the challenge.

The Citizens lost points after a 2-2 draw at home in the 29th week of the Premier League against Brighton & Hove Albion, Saturday, March 15, 2025.

This situation made the reigning champion temporarily in fifth place with nine games remaining.

"Until the end, I think so. Nine games, nine finals. I've always been confident."

"I'm a master. I find the positive side in everything. I know it will be difficult," said Guardiola.

Nico Gonzalez also agrees with Pep Guardiola. There is a difference of one point with Chelsea who are on the final path of the Champions League zone.

"There are still many games left, there are nine finals. We've talked a lot about this, that there are nine finals."

"Every game is final for us. We play (against Brighton) as if it was a final. I'm pretty sure if we play like this, a good result will come," Gonzalez said.

The top four teams in the Premier League are guaranteed to qualify for next season's Champions League. The fifth position might also be pretty good if England gets one of UEFA's outstanding places - something that seems to be getting more and more likely.

Manchester City want to qualify for the Champions League for the 15th year in a row after being last absent in the 2010/2011 season.

"Of course it is very important for us to be in the Champions League. We will continue to work."

"We will not count the position and everything, we will continue to work, give 100 percent and only try to win the next game and give the best in every game," Omar Marmoush agreed with Gonzalez and Guardiola's statement.

Manchester City's next match is against Leicester City at the Etihad Stadium on April 3, 2025, early morning WIB.

Guardiola hopes Bernando Silva is available even though the Portuguese midfielder was forced off the pitch with an injury against Brighton, just 18 minutes after coming on as a substitute in the second half.

"I would say if Bernardo was very strong and I watched him for five minutes. He couldn't move right."

"So, that's why I decided not to take risks. The doctor told me that in two weeks he might recover. Hopefully he will come back," said Guardiola.

Manchester City's motivation has multiplied to win the remainder game. One of them came from Erling Haaland who made history by reaching 100 Premier League goals engagements faster than anyone before.

He did it in just 94 games after fighting Brighton, six less than Alan Shearer.

However, Guardiola also has homework. Against Brighton, there is a record that the Spanish manager doesn't want.

Khusanov's own goal is the 40th in the league this season, the most under Guardiola in a season.

"Not bad. We started the second half (against Brighton) with a 2-1 advantage and had a good chance."

"In the corner of the pitch we were careless and they equalized, then we were unstable. That's a natural thing."

"We got up and had very good moments. They had one clean chance at the time, but we were there and kept fighting until the end. We will get points," said Guardiola.