Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola described winning the Premier League title as more difficult than winning the Champions League.
The British news agency “BA Media” reported that Manchester City hope to secure their fourth league title in the last five seasons on Sunday, after their dramatic exit against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals.
A victory over Aston Villa in the last round of the league will see Manchester City crowned the title at the expense of Liverpool, regardless of the result of the latter’s match against Wolverhampton.
Liverpool can still steal some spotlight by winning the Champions League – something Guardiola failed to do with Manchester City – but the Spaniard believes the Premier League is the big prize.
He said, “I can say that it is more difficult. There are many rounds and matches, suffering and injuries, good and bad moments with different situations, strong competitors.”
He added, “It is satisfying because on a daily basis. When you fight to win the league title, and you achieve success in the end, it gives you a great sense of enjoyment. We are happy in our lives when we win.”
He stressed, “I don’t mean that the Champions League is not important. We are hungry to win it. We want it and we love it.”
And he added: “We would like to be in Paris (to play the final) next week, but winning 38 matches is different from winning six, eight or nine matches.”
He stressed, “Since I was a player, I love the league. The league is great and we are on the verge of winning it. We are close.”
Manchester City’s work is not over yet, especially since any retreat against Aston Villa could open the door for Liverpool to crown the title, especially since the difference between it and Manchester City is one point.
It is similar to the situation in 2019, when Manchester City beat Brighton to prevent Liverpool from winning the title by a point.
Guardiola said: “It is difficult to say control your emotions, when we know what we are playing for. They are human, they have a feeling.”
“Maybe we will have to deal with something we didn’t expect and be uncomfortable, but what we can do is react in the best possible way, be positive, and not give up.”