Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has called for full support from fans as his side prepares for a critical Premier League clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday night.
City welcome Wolves to the Etihad Stadium fresh from booking a third consecutive FA Cup final appearance.
Currently aiming to cement a top-five finish and secure Champions League qualification, Guardiola’s side cannot afford any slip-ups.
Speaking ahead of the match, Guardiola confirmed that striker Erling Braut Haaland is unlikely to feature due to fitness concerns.
The Norwegian has returned to training but is not yet ready for selection. Midfield general Rodri is also back in training but remains sidelined.
“Rodri feels really good,” said Guardiola. “He’s doing sessions every day, but we need to be careful. I’m not a doctor, so we will wait until he’s declared stable.”
City have won their last three Premier League matches and could move up to third temporarily with victory on Friday. A win would also mark their first four-game winning streak in the league since August.
Guardiola acknowledged the significance of the fixture, describing it as ‘the first of four finals’ on the run-in. Despite an injury-hit campaign, he remains optimistic about ending the season strongly.
However, off-field issues are bubbling. Some supporters are planning a demonstration over ticket pricing before the match. Guardiola addressed the unrest, appealing to fans to stay behind the team.
“Come to help us,” he urged. “We need them from the first minute to the end. The fans want the Champions League. We want to keep doing what we’ve done for many years.”
Asked whether he had spoken to chief executive officer Ferran Soriano about fan frustrations, Guardiola reiterated his loyalty to the club but distanced himself from decisions made at boardroom level.
“If I can help, I will,” he said. “But I am the manager. My job is to make the team play well.”
City’s opponents arrive in outstanding form. Wolves have won six straight Premier League matches, including a 3-0 victory over Leicester City last weekend.
Vitor Pereira’s side have also won their last four away games and are chasing a historic seventh consecutive top-flight win.
Although Wolves have lost eight of their last nine league meetings with Man City, their current momentum makes them dangerous opponents in this rare Friday night fixture.
