UK Edition
Pep Guardiola says Manchester City are prepared for 'crazy' title-race finale
Pep Guardiola has admitted Manchester City could be in store for a “crazy” finale on Sunday that evokes memories of the club’s dramatic, heart-stopping first Premier League title success seven years ago.
But the City manager has urged his players to hold their nerve and keep calm if they do run into trouble against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium.
City famously trailed 2-1 to Queens Park Rangers on the final day of the 2011/12 season only to score twice in stoppage time through Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero to win 3-2 and clinch the title on goal difference from Manchester United.
Guardiola is hoping it will be a more straight-forward affair against Brighton as City bid to win a fourth title in eight seasons and extend Liverpool’s wait for the championship to a 30th year - but recognises his players, young and old, may have to improvise if they hit problems.
“We must play well and be strong mentally, knowing it will be tough - it’s how we react even if we have bad moments,” Guardiola said. “We have to focus on the game - how we want to play - and not worry too much [about the rest].
“If the game is running into problems, be calm and think about what you have to do. You may have to go crazy in the last five, 10, 15 minutes but before that we have a plan and must follow the plan to win the game - that’s what we have done all season.
"Experience [of winning title] is important but it’s only one [factor]. The most incredible moment in the history of this club was when Sergio scored that goal and, of course, they [Aguero, Vincent Kompany, David Silva] are important players but everyone has to contribute in the last game.”
Guardiola said he had been working on two gameplans with his players this week - one in the event Brighton opt to park the bus and another should Chris Hughton’s side, now safe for another season, adopted a more attacking approach. Kevin De Bruyne has trained for the past two days and, according to Guardiola, could be involved following a hamstring injury but fellow midfielder, Fernandinho, is unavailable.
“We’ve talk about the two options - if they play like they did recently so defensively, using set pieces, using long balls, using the counter-attack with [Anthony] Knockaert and [Solly] March, the build up with the two central defenders who are so good,” said the City manager, who claimed he would be paying little attention to events at Anfield. “But maybe at home in the last game they decide to go more forward but we have talked about what we can expect and how we handle both situations.”