Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is adamant his side will still qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League despite increased pressure following their 2-2 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
The outgoing league champions squandered a chance to move into the top four after surrendering their lead twice against fellow Champions League chasers Brighton.
Guardiola’s side now sit fifth on the log, as fourth placed Chelsea face Arsenal on Sunday – and with fans and players alike in an unfamiliar position, the Spaniard understands there could be nervousness around the club.
“Yes, definitely. Everybody feels the pressure. But it is what it is. We have to play better and after they will be back,” he said.
“In the good moments they are there but, of course, they feel it when it is not good.”
Guardiola is still confident that City will win their fight to qualify, with the top four guaranteed to make the Champions League, and fifth place also likely depending on the results of English clubs in Europe this season.
“I’m always confident, in that I am a master. I do have moments when I can doubt but I find the right way, the positiveness in everything,” said Guardiola, whose inconsistent side lost 1-0 at Nottingham Forest in their last game.
“I know it will be difficult for many reasons, but we have nine games, nine finals.”
Guardiola also had no complaints about the result after Erling Haaland’s penalty and an Omar Marmoush strike were cancelled out by Pervis Estupinan’s free-kick and Abdukodir Khusanov’s own goal.
“The performance was much, much, much better than the Nottingham Forest defeat,” he added.
“We made good moments but they have fantastic players and they controlled us really well.”
