Pep Guardiola on treble, Griezmann and Juventus links

Manchester City face Watford on Saturday in the FA Cup Final at Wembley. The 138th edition sees City aiming to become the first club to win the domestic treble in England, after sealing Premier League title against Brighton last Sunday. Pep Guardiola is after his first FA Cup trophy with City last winning under Roberto Mancini in 2011 when Yaya Touré’s goal helped them to a 1-0 win over Stoke. “It’s the final, hopefully, we can celebrate not just the Premier League, Carabao Cup and Community Shield, but also the FA Cup,” said Guardiola. “If we win tomorrow the season is extraordinary, if we don’t I think it’s extraordinary. We could have lost the Premier League by a point and the effort would have been the same, for one decision you can win the league or the FA Cup or not win it. We have to judge on what we’ve done in the season.” To win four titles in one season will be incredible.” City could be banned from Champions League, as English club is accused of breaking European Football Association’s financial rules and regulations. English football authorities demand a one-year-ban for Premier League champions. The final decision will be made by Yves Leterme, former prime minister of Belgium, currently leading investigatory panel. “I trust the club and the people, I know we won the Premier League and for the last three or four days people talk about that. If UEFA decided we did something wrong they will punish it, but we are innocent until proven guilty,” said the Catalan.  For human being it’s difficult to understand, but that’s what it is. I spoke with the chairman and the CEO, I know exactly what happened and what we did and I trust them. UEFA are working with the lawyers from Man City, we’re happy to expose all the papers and the documents. I don’t know what happens behind the scenes. We’re innocent today.” The video posted by YourMCFC twitter account showed several City players (Vincent Kompany, Ilkay Gundogan and Kyle Walker can be seen) mocking Liverpool by singing a song with those lyrics (via Daily Mail): “All the way to Kiev, To end up in defeat, Crying in the stands, And battered on the streets, Kompany injured Salah, Victims of it all, Sterling won the double, The Scousers won f*** all, Allez, allez, allez.” But Guardiola said: “Just for one second imagine we could offend about these tragedies, it’s incredible. We were happy for ourselves. If someone was offended for another issue I apologise, but it wasn’t our intention. We were happy for ourselves.” Max Allegri is leaving Juventus this summer, Juventus have confirmed. And Guardiola has long been linked with a move to Italy. “I’m not going to Juventus or to Italy, I have two more years here, I’m not going to move, I’m satisfied here, I’m not going anywhere. Next season I will be manager of Man City,” said Guardiola. Antoine Griezmann, meanwhile, has announced that he has told Atletico Madrid of his intention to leave the club, opening the door for a €125m move to Barcelona this summer.   He also been linked with a move to City. “Don’t worry Barcelona, we’re not going to buy Antoine Griezmann. We can’t afford him,” announced Pep. At the end of his press-conference City boss provided an injury update and confirmed Benjamin Mendy is not fit, and will be fit next season. He’s not available for the final, while Fernandinho trained yesterday and today.”

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