Pep Guardiola’s side need a result in order to ensure Champions League qualification in what has been a tricky campaign
Manchester City are preparing to play “by far” the most important game of their season against Wolves on Final Day, coach Pep Guardiola has said. A win would guarantee a spot in the Champions League next season after a bruising campaign that culminated in a bitter defeat at Wembley last week, as Crystal Palace won the first major trophy in their 120-year history at City’s expense. A loss, on the other hand, could mean City miss out on Europe’s elite competition for the first time since they first qualified for it in 2011.
“It is better arriving in the last game knowing it depends on you,” said Guardiola, referring to City holding their fate in their own hands.
“We have to deal with the game, prepare well. Fulham are an exceptional team,” he added. “It will be a really tough game. They have good build up and are well organised. They have everything. Marco [Silva] has done really well with the team.”
City are Final Day specialists in the Premier League. Everybody remembers that Sergio Aguero goal in 2012. They have also proved themselves capable in more recent times under Guardiola. There was the second half comeback to win 3-2 against Aston Villa in 2022. Last season, City opened the scoring in the second minute of the game against West Ham to take away whatever flimsy hopes Arteta’s side had retained going into the gameweek.
Asked if City’s past experience in final weekends will be of importance against Fulham, Guardiola said: “I don’t know. Every game, every competition, every player and every situation is completely different.”
Foden, who scored the opener in that game against West Ham last season, confessed this week that he is struggling physically and mentally, and that he needs a few weeks away from football to rest.
“It’s true Phil said that,” Guardiola said. “We’re family for him, a baby boy in the academy to become a star with us. We want to help him. He needs rest and it’ll happen now after Sunday. Step by step he’ll be back.
“We want to help him, that’s what we want. I don’t care about performance on the pitch. I want him to feel good and then the rest will come.”
