Pep Guardiola reveals big Man City news as duo passed fit for final

Pep Guardiola FA Cup semi final

Pep Guardiola is confident his Manchester City side will be ready to perform in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday despite the disruption of the past week, with two key men fit for the clash with Tottenham.

City manager Guardiola’s preparations for the Wembley date have been overshadowed by the fall-out from the doomed European Super League project.

Guardiola said: “We deserve to be there. The final every team wants to win and we will travel to London to do a good game and win the title.

“The Aston Villa game (on Wednesday) showed we were ready and we’ll be ready on Sunday.”

Guardiola, speaking at his pre-match press conference, confirmed both Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero were in contention to play after injury.

He said: “They are both (ready), they trained today. Tomorrow we are going to decide.”

The furore over the Super League has overshadowed UEFA’s decision to approve changes to the format of the Champions League from 2024.

The competition is to be increased from 32 to 36 teams with a revamped group stage that will see all teams play at least 10 fixtures.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has questioned the wisdom of this.

Guardiola said: “Every time it’s the same. All the managers and players ask for better quality and the football world goes for quantity.

“But we are not in charge of that. We have to ask UEFA and FIFA to extend the year, maybe have 400 days a year. Maybe then they can find a solution on that.”


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City join race for Vlahovic

Manchester City are the latest Premier League club to join the race for Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic, according to reports.

Vlahovic has become one of the most in-demand strikers in Serie A. The 21-year-old has scored 16 Serie A goals this season, 12 of which have been since the start of the calendar year. His purple patch has put him on the radar of a number of top European clubs.

Recent reports indicated that London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal were in contact with Vlahovic’s agent. He may be a successor to Harry Kane for the former or a replacement for Alexandre Lacazette for the latter.

Christian Kouame, Dusan Vlahovic, Fiorentina

But they are not alone in their interest. It later emerged that Liverpool and Manchester United could also be watching on.

Fiorentina are desperate to keep hold of Vlahovic and are thus trying to extend his contract. But in the meantime, with just two years left on that deal, they are at risk of losing him.

And now, another suitor has joined the queue. According to Corriere Dello Sport, Man City could launch a raid for the player.

READ MORE: Florentino Perez uses ESL row to goad PL giants over Mbappe, Haaland