City are in the midst of a battle to secure a spot in Europe's elite competition and the coach has challenged his team to respond to their FA Cup final defeat by getting the four points they require from their final two Premier League games.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday's (20.05.25) clash with Bournemouth, Guardiola said: "We need four points to be in the Champions League, that is enough and everyone has to be aware of that.

"It's important to qualify for other teams apart from Newcastle, who won the Carabao Cup, Liverpool won the Premier League, Man City won the Community Shield. The other teams didn't win trophies.

"Chelsea can win a title (Conference League) and Man Utd and Tottenham can win the Europa League; the other teams are expecting to qualify for the Champions League. It's important for every club.

"We have to come back and we have to recover quickly. Yes, it is better to play against Bournemouth having won the FA Cup because victories help winning, but now we have to prove how strong we are.

"And from my point of view, we have two massively important games for the short-term future of this club."

Missing out on the Champions League would be a huge blow for City but Guardiola is confident that his team can get the job done and finish in the top five.

The Spanish manager said: "I have been in the Champions League in the last 13, 14, 15 years, I don't remember. If we are not, then we don't deserve it, we'll play in the Europa League. It is what it is.

"I'm thinking we're going to qualify. I control my mind and I think that. We need two victories or four points.

"The first step is to finish in third position in the Premier League. That is my target.

"We will give everything to try and do it."