Matheus Nunes has described securing Champions League qualification as equivalent to winning the Premier League title for Manchester City, given the club’s underwhelming campaign by their lofty standards.
The Portuguese midfielder clinched a dramatic late winner against Aston Villa on Tuesday, propelling Pep Guardiola’s side to third place in the table, four points clear of seventh-placed Villa.
With Liverpool on the verge of sealing the Premier League title and Arsenal comfortably in second, five clubs, including Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, and Chelsea, are vying for the remaining three Champions League spots.
Despite City’s aspirations for a fifth consecutive league title at the start of the season, a slump in form since late October has derailed their campaign.
However, the club aims to end on a high note, with an FA Cup semi-final clash against Nottingham Forest at Wembley this Sunday following their crucial win over Villa.
“This is our Premier League trophy now, to qualify for the Champions League,” Nunes said after scoring his first league goal for City in his second season at the club.
“I think it’s massively important for us, in terms of everything, the club, in terms of the players, the mentality.”
The 26-year-old admitted though that Champions League qualification for the 15th season running and FA Cup glory would not equal a good campaign.
“The club’s standards are much higher than this,” he said. “We know that there is not the standards we want this club to be at.
“But this is our reality now and we have to accept it. And we just have to go for it like it’s the Champions League, the Premier League trophy.”