It’s 2023, 12 years since Pep Guardiola won his last Champions League, and it’s a lifetime for Manchester City, who never won it. The Citizens are two games away from the biggest prize, the one for which their wealthy UAE owners spent billions of pounds in recent years, and yet they have not seen any trophies. Being the Premier League champions is attractive to them as much as PSG’s owners winning League 1. It’s not interesting anymore; they want the UEFA trophy. And just between the first game with Real (1-1) and the second one, Everton squeezed in with their relegation battle and a stunning 5-1 win in Brighton last week. So, two major questions for the City coach are: Will the players be focused, knowing they are playing Real in three days, and will he rest Erling Haaland?Man City announced Erling Haaland one year ago today: ▫️ Fastest player in PL history to three hat tricks (8 games) ▫️ Most goals in a single season by a City player ▫️ Most goals in a PL season ▫️ Top of the league, UCL semifinals, FA Cup finalTook the Etihad by storm 🌧️ pic.twitter.com/YW727QN82o— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 10, 2023 Common sense regarding the Norwegian says ‘yes’. Sheikhs from UAE didn’t spend millions for the former Dortmund striker to see him score against Everton. City scored 284 four league goals in the previous three seasons without him, and won’t score any more than usual this time around, so he was bought to win the Champions League. He was quiet in the first match, mainly due to the excellent Antonio Rudiger’s coverage, but Guardiola said the player was in his first-ever Champions League semi-final against a great team on the road and that he will get better in the rematch. However, he tactically (or stubbornly) refused to rule him out against Everton.“I am pretty sure he is ready, first for Sunday and then the next games” Pep said.Haaland wins the prestigious Footballer of the Year award ahead of Saka and OdegaardCity have won their last 10 matches to overtake Arsenal at the top and are odds-on to be champions for the fourth time in five seasons. But players also know that the UEFA competition is the ultimate prize. So, the Spanish tactician must find ways to motivate them, as he believes that another Premier League title is as important as the Champions League.“I’ve said many times the Premier League is such an important title. I know the highlights of the Champions League is so special but the league is many tough games over many months. We can’t lose the mindset of where we have to be. Three days is enough time to prepare for Real Madrid with our people to do our best and reach a final. It doesn’t matter if someone has been playing recently or not. They are here, getting taken care of really well and when the team needs them, they will be ready” explained Guardiola.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 36Saturday Leeds – Newcastle 2-2 (1-1)/Ayling 7, Trippier 79 og – Wilson 31 pen, 69 pen/Aston Villa – Tottenham 2-1 (1-0)/Ramsey 8, Luis 72 – Kane (p) 90/Man. Utd. – Wolverhampton 2-0 (1-0)/Martial 32, Garnacho 90+4/Chelsea – Nott.Forest 2-2 (0-1)/Sterling – 51, 58 – Awoniyi 13, 62/Crystal Palace – Bournemouth 2-0 (1-0)/Eze 39, 58/Southampton – Fulham 0-2 (0-0)/Vinicius 48, Mitrovic 72/Sunday 16.00: (9.00) Everton (5.00) Man.City (1.43)16.00: (2.11) Brentford (3.50) West Ham (3.90)18.30: (1.80) Arsenal (3.70) Brighton (4.49)Monday22.00: (5.40) Leicester (4.00) Liverpool (1.65)***odds are subject to change***
