Chelsea manager
City can clinch its third
But the Blues can boost their top-four hopes in what is setting up to be a dress rehearsal for the
“It’s on us to close the gap for 90 minutes, and then we will do the same thing in the final,” Tuchel said on Friday.
The teams met three weeks ago, when Chelsea beat the league leader 1-0 in the FA Cup semifinals. Tuchel hinted at lineup changes and “fresh legs” in a bid to keep pace with his counterpart
“He transforms any team into a winning machine,” Tuchel said. “It was like this with
Both clubs enter the match at Etihad Stadiums on highs, and City with an extra day's rest. City dispatched Paris Saint-Germain in the
Guardiola said he wants to wrap up the
“If we win, it’s over,” he said on Friday. “This is what we’re trying to do as soon as possible.”
City's manager downplayed the potential impact Saturday's game could have on the
“If we played the final in one week (or) six days, could be,” he said, “but after tomorrow we have I think 21 or 22 days — many things can happen.
“There is not one thought about the final of the
The Blues are holding on to fourth place as several teams scramble for spots in next season’s
Chelsea can also guarantee itself a spot in Europe’s premier club competition next season by beating City in
Mason said he can judge Bale only by what he's seen in his time in charge.
“These last two weeks in training he’s been excellent," Mason said on Friday. “He’s produced on the football pitch as well. He’s happy and I’m happy. That’s important as players, we have to be happy to perform to our best. At the moment, you’re seeing Gareth close to his best."
Bale had a hat trick in a 4-0 win over bottom-side Sheffield United last Sunday.
Spurs are at Leeds on Saturday needing a victory to keep their hopes alive for a top-four finish.
“Gareth has proved in these last couple of weeks that he’s still got that quality in the final third and let’s hope it continues,” Mason said.
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