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| Pep Guardiola the head coach / manager of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 14, 2024 in London, England. |
Pep Guardiola has warned Manchester City against repeating Aston Villa mistakes from two years ago.
The Manchester City manager is on the verge of leading his team to an unprecedented fourth consecutive league title.
Pep Guardiola has said he expects Sunday’s final-day meeting against West Ham United to be similar to the near slip-up against Aston Villa two years ago.
Manchester City trailed 2-0 with 15 minutes remaining in the last game of the 2021/22 season, against a side in claret and blue that had nothing to play for. It’s the same situation that faces City and Guardiola on Sunday, when they host David Moyes’ side knowing a win will provide another Premier League title.
This year, it could be a record-breaking fourth top-flight triumph, something no-one has achieved in the history of English football.
Few are giving West Ham a chance due to their underwhelming form in recent weeks, in contrast to City’s ominous performances, with the champions winning eight in a row. But Guardiola, who said on Tuesday his team played like they were thinking about the consequences of losing against Tottenham Hotspur, warned a repeat of the nervous finish against Villa could be on the cards, albeit City came back to win 3-2 on that occasion.
“We need to win one game to be champions. Every team would love to be in our position, that’s for sure,” said the City boss. “But it won't be easy. I have the feeling it will be an Aston Villa game.
“We would like to be 3-0 up after 10 minutes but it isn't going to happen. I saw enough West Ham games in the last three or four days, and a few months ago in the last game. They have a few things we have to control, otherwise will be difficult. But two days to prepare the last game and we are ready.
“I'm ready to be a tough, tough game,” he added. “I want to put in the minds of the players that look at Tottenham, how they fought for every ball. It was incredible aggression and commitment that Spurs had. I didn't have any doubts about that.
“The outside, I don’t care. The 11 players at West Ham will be ready to beat us. That happened with Aston Villa in the same position and didn’t have anything to play for two seasons ago and I know what happened.
“It's going to happen the same. Ourselves and our people have to be ready from the first minute to support from the first minute and be with us to do it together.”
Guardiola also revealed he has planned a pre-match motivation meeting with his players ahead of the game, but was vague on the details when questioned.
“There is something that belongs to us,” he said. I'm going to show them how good they are and what they have to do. As simple as that. It's nothing special.”
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