Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Spurs, United games 'absolute finals' - Guardiola

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Tuesday, 16 April 2019 07:14

MANCHESTER, England -- Pep Guardiola said Manchester City's next three matches will go a long way to defining their season as they chase an unprecedented Quadruple.

City face Tottenham on Wednesday night in the Champions League trailing 1-0 from the first leg followed by a Premier League double-header against Spurs again and Manchester United.

Anything but a victory on Wednesday would see them eliminated from Europe at the quarterfinal stage for the second year running -- and Guardiola said he believes only maximum points in the Premier League will be enough to secure the title.

"If we don't win these games we will be out of two competitions," he told a news conference. "They are absolute finals for us, I've had that feeling from weeks ago.

"Every time in a competition [they are] when you arrive in the latter stages. We don't have a 12-point [gap] like last season -- in this period, we were already champions.

"But this season we have an incredible opponent like Liverpool in the Premier League. What they have done so far they deserve. Normally with 84 or 86 points you are champion -- they have 85. Both teams deserve to be champions but just one team is going to get it."

Spurs' first leg victory was helped by a noisy and intense atmosphere from the fans at their new 62,000-capacity stadium, and Guardiola said he needs the fans to generate a similar atmosphere if they are to make the semifinals.

"Many times I played in the semifinals and quarterfinals, and every time I played away the atmosphere was really incredible," he added. "They support their local teams.

"We need it -- really, we need it. I want to see that they want to get to the semifinals. Not the players, the players I have no doubt about after 20 months. I want to see my fans, our fans, that they really want the semifinals. I want to see that tomorrow."

City remain in the hunt for the Quadruple and while Guardiola has played down the possibility, defender John Stones said the players will do everything to win all four trophies.

"I don't think a lot of things are impossible, that is the mindset of different people and if you don't dream big then you are not going to get anywhere near it," he said. "It comes from within everyone -- we have this belief and ambition to do it.

"Like last season, 100 points never done before. We won the league quite early and still had the belief to go on and do it."

Oleksandr Zinchenko is the only player ruled out although Fernandinho only returned to training on Monday and is not yet at full intensity after being ruled out of Sunday's win at Crystal Palace.

Tottenham, meanwhile, are definitely without Harry Kane but Guardiola said they will remain dangerous opponents.

"[They will be] the same strong team they had three years ago, last season and this. [They are an] incredible top team."

Read 2251 times

Soccer

Five sentenced after Ajax, Maccabi fan clash

Five sentenced after Ajax, Maccabi fan clash

EmailPrintAn Amsterdam District Court Tuesday sentenced five men to up to six months in prison on Tu...

Pep: City must use struggling Haaland better

Pep: City must use struggling Haaland better

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsManchester City manager Pep Guardiola has defended star striker Erl...

Maresca: Mudryk to 'disconnect' amid drug probe

Maresca: Mudryk to 'disconnect' amid drug probe

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsEnzo Maresca has said Mykhailo Mudryk needs to "disconnect" from Ch...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Doncic nets 27 in 'OK' return, Mavs beat Blazers

Doncic nets 27 in 'OK' return, Mavs beat Blazers

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDALLAS -- Luka Doncic returned from a two-game absence because of a...

Wolves' Edwards fined again for criticizing officials

Wolves' Edwards fined again for criticizing officials

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards was fine...

Baseball

Trading for a superstar -- and then dealing away an MVP? What to make of Cubs' confusing offseason

Trading for a superstar -- and then dealing away an MVP? What to make of Cubs' confusing offseason

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCHICAGO -- For consecutive offseasons, the Chicago Cubs have given...

MLB, umpires reach tentative deal for new CBA

MLB, umpires reach tentative deal for new CBA

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMajor League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Umpires Associa...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated