Pep Guardiola is determined to take the Premier League title race to the final game of the season. The Manchester City manager's side have two matches remaining and trail leaders Arsenal, requiring favours from elsewhere to overhaul them. However, Guardiola refuses to concede defeat and is focused solely on ensuring the battle goes down to the wire.
Guardiola's Determination
Speaking ahead of the crucial clash at Bournemouth, Guardiola said: "The important thing is to arrive at the end with options. All we want is to be with our people in the last game to try to fight. To extend for these last four or five days what we have to do is win at Bournemouth."
Fixture Frustrations
City have had a busy schedule, with the rearranged game against Bournemouth and last week's encounter with Crystal Palace causing frustration. Yet they travel to the south coast in buoyant mood after beating Chelsea in the FA Cup final on Saturday to secure their second trophy of the season. Guardiola noted: "It's a different competition but it's better to travel to Bournemouth with the feeling that we won the FA Cup than the opposite. It should not have happened what happened, so we have to go to Bournemouth to get the result."
Difficult Test Ahead
Guardiola expects a tough match at the Vitality Stadium against a Bournemouth side unbeaten in 16 games and pushing for European qualification. "They are 16-17 games unbeaten. The run is unbelievable," he said. "The only chance we have is to win the game. We have to break that run, otherwise it will be over. When you arrive in the last fixtures and you are playing for something important, and the opponent is not playing for anything it is always easier. That is not the case tomorrow and they have had 10 days just thinking about us. Now we start to think about them. But it is what it is. We are used to it. It is not complicated. We have to win."
Squad Fitness
City have had little time for training but have a fully fit squad following Rodri's return at Wembley. Guardiola added: "Unfortunately that could not happen six months ago with this calendar. Playing every three days we don't train much. I want energy and the mindset in the right spot."
