Manchester City players train ahead of their match against Arsenal, which could potentially decide who finishes third in the league. PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON/ NORWICH: Pep Guardiola’s plans for Manchester City in next season’s Champions League are at stake as his predecessor Manuel Pellegrini faces a make-or-break final home game against Arsenal.
City limped out of the Champions League in the semi-finals on Wednesday after an insipid 1-0 defeat at Real Madrid that emphasised why the club’s hierarchy were so eager to acquire Guardiola’s services.
But with Manchester United and West Ham United snapping at their heels, City’s hold on the fourth and final Champions League berth is tenuous and defeat by third-place Arsenal could leave Guardiola facing the ignominy of a Europa League campaign in his first season at the Etihad Stadium.
Guardiola wants Arteta in 'coaching role' at Manchester City
Pellegrini was criticised for resting several players in last weekend’s damaging 4-2 defeat at Southampton, but he said: “I think it is very, very important to make it to the Champions League next year. I finish my contract here, but that is not the thing I am worried about.”
The 62-year-old Chilean has experienced soaring highs and shattering lows in his three-year Etihad tenure, with Premier League success in 2014 and two League Cup triumphs — in 2014 and this year — offset by modest returns in Europe and this year’s listless league campaign.
On the prospect of his 57th and final home league match as manager, Pellegrini said: “Of course it is a very special game because we finish at home after very intensive years. But as a manager you must try to dominate your emotions. Of course I have feelings, but I don’t want to show them in an external way.”
Mata shoves Norwich nearer drop as United eye top four
Mata shoves Norwich towards relegation
Juan Mata’s second-half goal was good enough to give Manchester United a 1-0 win away to Norwich City on Saturday, a result that edged the Canaries closer towards relegation from the Premier League.
Defeat left Norwich second-bottom in the table, with only already-relegated Aston Villa below them and two points shy of safety with two league games left this season.
Mata struck in the 72nd minute after a missed header by Norwich defender Sebastien Bassong cleared the way for a run into the box by United’s Wayne Rooney.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 8th, 2016.
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