It’s Cup final galore as Nick Cushing’s side push for the Continental Cup against Arsenal, while Pep Guardiola’s men look to retain the Carabao Cup.
In today’s media round-up we hear from Demi Stokes ahead of the final at Bramall Lane, we get a word from Fernandinho on City’s aims for the season, plus a few predictions for Sunday’s clash with Chelsea.
READ: David Silva | ‘Sunday will be beautiful for our fans’
WATCH: Continental Cup | Road to the Final
First up, Demi!
Speaking ahead of the Continental Cup final, Stokes touched on last year’s defeat as well as speaking openly about her return from injury.
Our defender told The Guardian: “We’re not thinking about last season,” she said. “We’re in good form – and we’re in a good place, a much better place than a year ago.”
On her hip injury, Demi explained: “Being injured for so long does stress you out a bit and my load in training still has to be carefully managed but I had really good care and rehab and it’s very nice to be going to the SheBelieves,” she added.
“I think there’s nine of us from City travelling with England. Not long after the tournament Phil names his World Cup squad for France this summer, so it’s an important time.”
Next, we turn our attention to an interview Fernandinho did with Sport360.
The defensive midfielder explained City’s aims for the future.
“We just want to take City to the next level, to make another step,” said Fernandinho.
“To consolidate as a winning team, winning trophies together, and to be there at the final stages of the Champions League. I think that’s the best way to achieve something big.
“We won the Premier League last season and we are fighting for the title again. Since 2009 no one has made back-to-back titles, so we are fighting for that. This is the ambition of this team, to do more.
“But you just live day by day, let the people think about making history. If you keep making the same pace, going in the same way, then in 10 years, 20 years’ time people are going to remember. What you did last season, what you did this season. This is the best way to make our fans happy.”
Finally, we look at Carabao Cup predictions.
Paul Merson eyes a big win for us on Sunday, writing for Sky Sports he said: “I wish I could do this at 3.30pm on Sunday when I see the teams or at kick-off when I see the way Chelsea are going to set up. If they set up as they have done and play ‘Sarriball’, I would be shocked if it wasn’t at least 3-0 to Manchester City.
“Good managers change, that’s what they do, you don’t just go everywhere and play the same way, especially after losing 6-0 against the same team a few weeks ago!
“If they change the way they play, you never know in a cup final.
“But look at City with the team they played at Newport in the FA Cup. Pep Guardiola is ruthless. If they are 2-0 or 3-0 ahead against Chelsea with 25 minutes left to go, then he will want to get four or five. 0-3.”
The BBC’s Mark Lawrenson also sees us lifting the trophy at Wembley.
The pundit scribes: “I think Chelsea will be better than they were when Manchester City beat them 6-0 at Etihad Stadium earlier this month, and this will be a much closer game.
“I don’t see City battering them again, but I do see Pep Guardiola‘s side beating them. I just don’t think Chelsea are good enough defensively.
“City are obviously after bigger prizes, but the good thing about winning the Carabao Cup is that it is an early one in the bag.
“Even if Chelsea win, I don’t think it will be enough to save Maurizio Sarri’s job.
“It is not just working out for him, and the reaction of their fans to Monday’s defeat by Manchester United shows they have already made their minds up about him. 1-2.”
That’s all for today’s round-up but we will be back tomorrow with all the latest news and headlines from the back pages!
