FILE PHOTO: FA Cup – Quarter Finals – Newcastle United v Manchester City – St. James’ Park, Newcastle, UK – June 28, 2020 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola with his players during the drink break while the game continued after the breakout behind closed doors becomes the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Owen Humphreys / Pool via REUTERS
(Reuters) – Manchester City’s hopes of keeping the Premier League crown have vanished, but they still have two trophies in their crosshairs, said manager Pep Guardiola after the club beat the FA Cup semi-final 2-0 Newcastle United had reached.
In addition to the trophy, City is still chasing the Champions League title and leads 2-1 ahead of Real Madrid after the away game of the last 16 games in February, before the competition was interrupted due to COVID-19.
The European elite club competition will end in August with a mini-tournament with eight teams in Lisbon. The FA Cup semi-finals take place from July 18 to 19 and the final is scheduled for August 1.
“We have two competitions that we can win,” Guardiola told reporters on Sunday.
“It will be good to play Real Madrid in good shape. Winning this title would be the best way to prepare for Madrid. ”
Guardiola also said he was pleased with City’s response to Chelsea’s 1-2 loss last week and had given Liverpool the Premier League title.
“We are delighted to be back in London at Wembley after defeating Chelsea to play Arsenal in the semi-finals and reach the FA Cup final,” he added.
“It’s always an incredible trophy and it gives us an extra bonus.”
Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Edited by Peter Rutherford
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