Premier harder than Champs League for Pep
PEP Guardiola says that winning the Premier League is tougher than achieving Champions League success.
The Spaniard’s Manchester City side are hoping to secure their fourth domestic title in five seasons
Victory over Aston Villa in their final game will see City pip second- placed Liverpool to the crown regardless of the result of the Merseysiders’ clash with Wolves.
Liverpool could still steal some of their limelight by going on to win the Champions League – something which has eluded Guardiola during his City tenure – but the Spaniard believes the Premier League is the greater prize.
He said: “I would say it’s more difficult. There’s a lot of weeks and games, struggles with injuries, good and bad moments with different situations, tough opponents.
“It’s satisfying because it’s every day. When you fight for the Premier League and have success right at the end, it gives you a sense that you enjoy a lot. We are happier in our lives when you win.
“When you win and win it makes for) good training sessions, a good environment and mood.
“It’s not like the FA Cup or a single game, it’s a routine.
“I’m not saying the Champions League is not important. We’re mad, crazy to win it.
We want it, we love it.
“We’d love to be in Paris for the final next week but to win 38 games, rather than six, eight or nine games, is different.
“Always I like it, since I was a player. The league is nice and we are on the verge of that. We are close.”
The job is not done yet, however, with any slip- up against Villa potentially opening the door for Liverpool, who are just one point behind, to win a recordequalling 20th title.
The situation is similar to 2019, when City won at Brighton to hold off the Reds, again by a point.
Guardiola said: “It is difficult to say ‘ control your emotions’ when we know exactly what we are playing for.
They are human beings, they have feelings.
“Maybe we will have to live through something unexpected, be uncomfortable, but what we can do is react the best way possible.”
Ruben Dias is out injured, while it could be Fernandinho’s final game for the club.