Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola claimed that his side will be more concentrated in their search for glory in the FA Cup and the Champions League.
It remains possible for City to end this term with a triple win, viz. EFL Cup, FA Cup and Champions League.
City’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea on Thursday saw Liverpool crowned as champions with City having no way left to change their secondary status.
After their Premier League title defence officially ended, Guardiola acknowledge his side lost some direction in the Premier League.
“After the defeat in London against Chelsea, of course now in the Premier League we’re struggling a little bit to focus,” Guardiola told the BBC.
On the other hand, they were in good form during a 2-0 victory in the quarter-final of the Sunday’s FA Cup at Newcastle United.
Kevin De Bruyne celebrated his 29th birthday by scoring a penalty for the first half. And Raheem Sterling put the finishing touch on a routine victory after the break to book a last-four Arsenal showdown.
De Bruyne has been the official penalty taker this season after City has endured a series of spot-kick woes. The talented Belgian playmaker says he is ready to shoulder the burden:
“We had a few problems this year and I think the gaffer asked me to step up against Madrid. I’ve scored a couple now. If I’m the taker now I will try. Obviously, there will be a day I miss, you have to take your responsibility, it if it’s in it’s good.”
Guardiola stating that it is understandable that the attentions of his players are now heading to Wembley as well as the last-16 second leg against Real Madrid in Europe’s elite competition – a game in which they lead 2-1:
“We’re playing for qualification to the Champions League, it’s not done but we’re close, we need two victories.
“But, of course, now the FA Cup and Champions League it’s a little bit different for the fact we’re playing at Wembley again, we were winners last season, we are in the semis again and that’s so, so good. Then we prepare for the end of the season against Madrid.”
On the game, Guardiola added: “First we are in the semi-final, it was not easy to attack against defenders so, so deep.
“It was a solid performance, we conceded few [chances]and we are happy to be going back to London to Wembley.”
