Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has underlined the importance of his side’s final Premier League match of the season, describing Sunday’s trip to Fulham as “by far” their biggest game of the campaign.
With Champions League qualification at stake, Guardiola insisted he would not be keeping an eye on other results as the final round of fixtures gets underway simultaneously. City are currently third in the table with 68 points and need only a draw to secure a top-five finish and their place in Europe’s elite competition, barring an unlikely 17-goal swing in Aston Villa’s favour against Manchester United.
“You have to look at ourselves,” said Guardiola. “We need one point to go in the Champions League next season and you have to go to win against a top side. It’s by far the most important match. We have to prepare well but of course it’s really really important. Fulham are a top top side and it will be a tough game.”
Rodri, who made an emotional return from an eight-month injury layoff in Tuesday’s 3–1 win over Bournemouth, is not expected to start. Guardiola praised the midfielder’s progress but urged caution as he continues his recovery from knee surgery.
“We’re really pleased he’s back,” said Guardiola. “But it is a long way still to be what Rodri was. My guess is it will be next season. You have to be careful with these kinds of injuries or you risk muscular problems. This is the first step for his mind and his knee but he’s not yet the Rodri we know.”
City will be without John Stones who remains sidelined and midfielder Mateo Kovacic who is suspended following a red card in midweek. Meanwhile Phil Foden’s absence from England’s upcoming matches was also addressed by Guardiola.
Foden, who has been managing a persistent ankle issue, requested to be left out of Thomas Tuchel’s squad. Guardiola clarified: “It’s true he’s been struggling with his ankle but I haven’t spoken to Thomas. He needs rest and then he will come back. I don’t care about his performance, I just want him to feel good because then everything else will follow.”
Looking ahead to the summer, Guardiola confirmed that Foden is expected to travel with the squad to the United States for the FIFA Club World Cup while Kyle Walker will not be involved having completed a loan spell with AC Milan.
With the pressure building ahead of the season’s climax, Guardiola is keeping his squad focused solely on the task in west London, one final hurdle to secure their place at Europe’s top table.
