Manchester City don’t have much time in Champions League race, says Pep Guardiola ahead of Everton trip | OneFootball

Manchester City have it in their hands to finish the Premier League campaign on a strong note by securing qualification to next season’s UEFA Champions League, Pep Guardiola said in a press conference on Friday.

Six games remain for the reigning Premier League champions to end what has been a subpar season on a high and seal their place in Europe’s elite club competition next season – a prime target for City in their season run-in.

The Blues remain in the hunt for an eighth FA Cup title ahead of a semi-final tie against Nottingham Forest at Wembley, after Nico O’Reilly came off the bench and inspired a 2-1 comeback win for his boyhood club on a difficult afternoon in Bournemouth.

A trip to Goodison Park presents the first of six finals for Manchester City in the Premier League and Pep Guardiola will not be taking any of his side’s remaining games for granted as the Spaniard looks to lead his men over the line into next season’s Champions League.

The Blues spared their blushes from what was looking set to be another embarrassing defeat after going 2-0 down against Crystal Palace at home after a horror first 21 minutes, but five goals either side of the interval secured a much-needed victory at home for Guardiola and co.

“I don’t think it’s a bad thing to be fighting to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. You could be in a very, very lower position in the Premier League if you have done few good things than we have done in these four, five months,” Guardiola said in a press conference on Friday.

City are in fifth place in the Premier League table, four points behind Newcastle and two behind Forest. “We could be 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th! I don’t have any doubts of that. It’s in our hands and of course, Goodison Park and (Aston) Villa are massively important. We don’t have much time,” Guardiola added.

Quizzed on whether he has enjoyed Manchester City’s uncharacteristic pursuit of a finish in the Champions League places as opposed to challenging for the Premier League title, Guardiola said: “I enjoyed the games, really nice games! I enjoyed it, I miss it of course, but accept (it).

“I’m a person who doesn’t complain much what life gives to me, in good moments, and bad moments. Sometimes in sport you don’t perform well, don’t deserve to be, just hopefully next season we can be there, dealing with the big, big clubs in Europe and challenging them better than we have done this season, what we have done in the last seven years. I take it in that way.”