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Pep Guardiola is convinced that Manchester City can deduct from his FA Cup disappointment and secure a place in the Champions League next season.
The city was dominated by long spells against Crystal Palace at Wembley, but failed to turn possession into goals, and the Eberechi eze strike from the first half proves decisive.
Action from yesterday #Facup Finally 📺 pic.twitter.com/yh4xyjotkl
– Manchester City (@Mancity) May 18, 2025
This means that the Guardiola side will end the season without a trophy for the first time from his debut campaign at the club in 2016-17, although they still have a lot to play.
Winning over the weekend for colleagues of the Champions League, we hope that Chelsea and Aston Villa saw that City had slipped on the sixth, a point on points with seven-ranked Nottingham Forest, which were also winning.
Bournemouth play takes on tremendous importance
The city game in hand comes tomorrow night when Bournemouth visits Etihad. The victory would take them to the third and in the pole position to refer to one of the top five positions.
Guardiola was optimistic for his players to step up when needed.
He said, “If we are not in the Champions League, this is because we do not deserve it. And we will play the Europe League. So this is what it is.
“I think we will qualify. My thought is that I will think of it. And if I think, I think. And I think we need two wins or four points to qualify. That’s my target.”
Asked if he was convinced, he added, “Absolutely.”
One last home game 👑
🤝 #Asahisuperdry pic.twitter.com/glkvgf0zf6
– Manchester City (@Mancity) May 18, 2025
Guardiola Coy to participate in de Bruyne
The game will be the last performance of Kevin de Bruyne in Etihad before he starts at the end of the season.
The Belgian played the whole game at Wembley, which, in normal circumstances, would make it unlikely to start against cherry.
But Guardiola gave a little to the 33-year-old.
He added: “We want to win the game so we can qualify for the Champions League next season – this is what Kevin wants, that could not be different.
“I’ll decide what’s best for us to win in a match against Bournemouth, that’s for sure.
“Kevin will get what he deserves, and what he deserves is the best moment and the best compliment for his incredible trajectory.
“What he did, along with some incredible other legends at this club, will not be possible in 10 to 15 years since Sheik Mansour took over the club and launched this club to reach the second level.”
Guardiola said he had not yet had the opportunity to watch the FA Cup finals, but insists that his side was playing well.
He said, “We played a really good finale. It’s not enough to win it and we have the last two games. We need four points to be in the Champions League. That is enough and they have to be aware of it.”
After Bournemouth, City goes to Fulham on Sunday.
