Chelsea Clash Is Final – Guardiola Targets Maximum Points Against Maresca
Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has described the Premier League clash against Chelsea on Saturday as a final, urging his players to give their all to get the maximum points.
The defending champions will welcome Chelsea to the Etihad in late evening kickoff after their dramatic 4-2 defeat to PSG in the Champions League, which left their qualification hopes hanging in the balance.
While, Guardiola’s men seem to have turned the tide in the Premier League, winning three out their last four games in the league to revive their top four hopes.
The Cityzens need to defeat Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday to qualify for the next round of the competition, Guardiola has described the Chelsea’s game and the clash against Club Brugge as finals.
Chelsea are two points clear of Manchester City in fourth after they experienced their own dip in form, failing to win in their previous five games before ending the run against Wolves on Monday.
Guardiola is expecting a tough game between both sides, while expecting their fans to support them to get the maximum points.
He said: “Yeah, [it’s a] really important [game]. The quality of the side, always Chelsea have been.
“They’re close in the table even with the big problems we’ve had in the past, recent past.
“This week is really important and the next two games are finals for us. With our people, they’re going to support us to do a good performance to take the results that we need.
Man City have been busy in the January transfer window, bringing in the trio of Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, and Omar Marmoush to beef up the squad after a disappointing first half of the season.
Guardiola said the new signings are ready to make their debut against Chelsea: “We didn’t train much because we travelled, games, travel so we didn’t make a training session all together.
“Omar Marmoush was the first and the other ones trained a little bit but not all together. But they’re fine, Vitor is young, has a huge personality but needs time.
“Khusanov is already settled for the fact of playing in the French league and handling tough, fast players. He doesn’t speak much English, more French, so communication will be one of the situations we have to deal with.
“And Omar, yesterday was the first training session and I think he’ll adapt quickly.”
The Spaniard also reserved special praises for Enzo Maresca, who worked as his assistant in the 2022-23 season.
He said: “[He’s changed Chelsea] a lot. I think we recognised the team from day one when we played in the pre-season in the United States.
“Many things, I start to see which we spoke about many times in the last years together. Really good.
“I’m very pleased, I was a lucky man to work with him in the last few years.
“Everything happened with him and his family, if he’s fine, I am fine. I’m happy for him.”
Similarly, Chelsea coach, Enzo Maresca believes there is never a good time to play Manchester City, while saying his team will go for victory.
He said: “I don’t believe in these kind of things. I think more the other side; with this club and these players, when they are in a difficult moment, it is when they want to show how good they are.
“They want to go against everyone saying, “if you think we’re not good enough, we’ll show everyone how good we are”. I don’t think there’s a good moment to play against City but for sure we are going to try to win tomorrow.”
The Italian manager also provided updates on the reports linking Chelsea to Manchester United winger, Alejandro Garnacho.
He said: “I’m happy with the ones that we have at this moment. We said many times, on the right side is Pedro (Neto) and Noni (Madueke) and on the left side is Jadon (Sancho).
“Misha (Mudryk) was with us but now he is not with us but (we also have) Tyrique, I think it’s a young profile that can help us. At this moment, we are OK.”
Manchester City emerged victorious in the first leg of the encounter on the opening day of the season with a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Erling Haaland, and Mateo Kovacic.
The clash is slated for 6:30 pm on Saturday evening at the Etihad Stadium.
Chelsea Clash Is Final – Guardiola Targets Maximum Points Against Maresca is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
