Pep Guardiola used the example of Liverpool this season to warn against making any predictions about Chelsea's winning run against Manchester City continuing next season.
Thomas Tuchel's side knocked the Blues out of the FA Cup last month in a Wembley semi-final after Guardiola made eight changes from the XI that had won their Champions League quarter-final in Dortmund days earlier. On Saturday, City brought in nine new faces after their midweek win over PSG but were unable to hold onto a 1-0 lead and suffered a second straight defeat to the side they will contest the Champions League final against before the month is out.
Guardiola insisted his plan had not changed as they know they have three more games to get the two points required to win the Premier League. When it was put to him that Chelsea's victory could help them psychologically next season, the coach pointed to Liverpool's struggles this season after winning the title last year to warn against anyone thinking too far ahead.
"Next season is next season. Many things can happen. What we have done this season, look how difficult it is - the champions of the Premier League may not qualify for the Champions League," he said.
"Next season is next season. We have 21 days, we will see what happens in the final. It is a different competition. We're going to try to play this game, analyse and make the right decision. playing the final is a dream come true for us. Chelsea have been there many times, it is the first time we are going to be there and we are going to approach it in the best possible way.
"Congratulations to Chelsea, we are going to go to Newcastle to try to win the Premier League - if not then Brighton, if not then Everton. And after, we are going to try to win the Champions League."
