Pep Guardiola has warned his Manchester City players that any slackening-off against Norwich could cost them their place in the team to face Real Madrid.
And the Blues boss has made it plain that he wants them to get the three goals needed to take them past the 100 goals for the second time in three years.
Guardiola gave his squad two days off this week, but made it plain that was simply because neither they nor the Canaries have anything left to play for.
But City can top the century of league goals again if they manage three against relegated opponents, and Guardiola said that would be a small consolation for losing their Premier League title.
“It’s nice to score goals, it’s the way one team can show, but we can’t deny it’s not enough,” he said. “We are 18 points behind Liverpool, and there is analysis we have to do as a club, first me as a manager.
“We finished in the distance and we have to reflect as a manager, but of course every game there is a target, a desire to win the game and maybe scoring 100 goals is one of the reasons why.”
He also pinned down another reason why it is important to finish the domestic season strongly, before work starts on preparing for the Champions League second leg against Madrid in a fortnight.
Citing the ton of goals as one reason to keep the momentum going, Guardiola added: “And to see the players, if they are ready to prepare the game against Madrid.
“I know them quite well but this game against Norwich and the way they train I will be paying attention, for who is more prepared to play against Madrid. Every day will be an exam for me to see who is ready to play this game.
“Against Arsenal we were not ready, against Watford a little bit better but still we need to improve.”
The fact that nothing rests on the game persuaded Guardiola to let the players have Wednesday and Thursday off – but after taking Monday off post-match, they will train right up until the last 16 second leg at the Etihad Stadium on August 7
“I gave two days because we have had a tough period after lockdown, a lot of games, with games every few days, and especially as we don’t play for anything and Norwich don’t play for anything, apart from respect or trying to win the game, no more than this.”
If we played an opponent who played for something like Champions League, Europa League or to avoid relegation, maybe I wouldn’t have given two days. After this we are gong to have two weeks with a normal day off. This is the plan for the next weeks.
