Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany has warned Pep Guardiola's side of Bournemouth's 'party pooper' status ahead of Kevin De Bruyne's final match for the club at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night.
De Bruyne and co were left disappointed at the weekend after they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, losing the historic showpiece for the second consecutive year.
Man City's legendary playmaker will therefore end his 10th and final season at Man City without lifting any major silverware, but he and his teammates still have the possibility of salvaging something positive from what has been an unsatisfactory 2024-25 campaign by their incredibly high standards.
Indeed, the Citizens have two Premier League games remaining, against Bournemouth at home and Fulham away, to secure a top-five finish and Champions League qualification for next season; they currently sit sixth in the table and just one point behind Chelsea and Aston Villa in fourth and fifth respectively.
Victory against Bournemouth on Tuesday would put Man City's fate into their own hands heading into the final day. A draw would also see them climb above both Chelsea and Villa, but only on goal difference as all three teams would be level on points.
Guardiola's side and Man City's supporters are sure to be pumped up for this important fixture, but there are no guarantees that they will prevail against a Bournemouth outfit who beat them 2-1 in the reverse fixture in November and are currently battling to secure a top-eight finish which could be enough to qualify for next season's Conference League.
"De Bruyne has to start" against potential 'party poopers' Bournemouth
Ahead of Tuesday's encounter with the Cherries, McInerney told Sports Mole: "It's going to be tough...we know a lot about Bournemouth. I would say they were one of the sides that sort of kick-started [Man City's] implosion. They ran us ragged earlier on in the season and they've been a real threat all year.
"[Antoine] Semenyo is obviously linked to many clubs for a reason. An aggressive, versatile attacker, fearless as well. The way that they're playing under [Andoni] Iraola, they keep the ball so calmly, but they're so assertive as well, so physical with [Milos] Kerkez - another who will probably make a move to a big club. [Dean] Huijsen [is now joining Real Madrid].
"[Tyler] Adams and [Alex] Scott in midfield, [James] Tavernier on one side, Evanlison, [Justin] Kluivert as well - just quality footballers. I love a team who knows exactly who they are, and at Bournemouth every single player is 100% committed to their identity and the way that they play.
"It is aggressive, it's fearless, it's direct as well, but they're also not afraid to keep the ball. They will be very much aware of their potential status as sort of party poopers with De Bruyne. They will sit back a little bit and they'll counter with the pace of the wingers."
McInerney added: "De Bruyne will obviously start. It's his last game at home. He has to start. In fact, I would fear for Guardiola trying to leave the stadium if he doesn't start De Bruyne - he just has to! It's the most nailed on start you'll ever see in the history of football. If he doesn't, I'm going to be furious with the man.
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"Don't mess it up City"
"I suspect once again, De Bruyne with his sense of narrative, he'll want to score. I'd be amazed if he's not peppering the goal with long-range shots and taking every free kick and getting forward and playing right alongside [Erling] Haaland.
"It's going to be difficult, but I do think City are good against decent sides who will come at you and attack... I think we should win and I think there's a sense of occasion there and importance that makes this a bit of a cup final. We still have to get Champions League football. It's De Bruyne's send-off. You don't mess it up City."
Sharing his thoughts on De Bruyne's final Etihad outing as a Man City player, McInerney said: "I'm sure it'd be an emotional day for him, which could play into it a little bit.
"It's not ideal. You want it to be sort of set, but I think De Bruyne probably is the kind of guy who wouldn't mind a game that means something at the same time. He's a serious man and he's a pragmatic man at the same time.
"It's a final. It's not just a stroll. It's not like [Sergio] Aguero's last game in a season where we were always going to win and it was fine. This is a game where you have to go out and win.
"I expect De Bruyne to actually take control of the game, I do. I think he'll give everything he's got. He'll play 300% of his abilities and I think he'll really go for it. I think we'll be okay".
Press play on the video at the top of this article to hear the full discussion.
Oliver Thomas
