Andoni Iraola is confident his Bournemouth side can “damage” Manchester City this evening but admits it’s “one of the most difficult games you can play”.
Bournemouth host the European champions on the back of a four-game winless run in the Premier League, although they arguably deserved more than a point from last Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Newcastle.
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Pep Guardiola’s men arrive four points behind league leaders Liverpool and with little margin for error in the title race.
And Iraola knows his side will have to be at their best.
He said: “We are in a good moment. The Newcastle game was one of the best games we’ve played this season.
“I finished really happy with the game, even after reviewing it, we were very good against a very good team. It’s true that we are probably not as good in the boxes as we’ve been in the previous run, but I think overall, the team is doing good things and I think we can also be good tomorrow.
“It’s obviously one of the most difficult games you can play, they are a team with more possession and you have to be ready mentally to be a lot of time without the ball and defensive.
“I think we can damage them but it’s obviously a very difficult game in a lot of areas.”
Andoni Iraola confirmed Romain Faivre has recovered from his illness and has trained normally this week.
He also said there are no new knocks going into this weekend’s game but doesn’t expect any of the injured players to recover. pic.twitter.com/yc2jfjfiol
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) February 23, 2024
Iraola knows City will try to dominate the ball but hopes he side can get enough possession to cause problems.
“They control all of the games, they don’t want the games to be very open, they want the games in just one direction,” he added.
“They take the ball and dictate the game, they don’t leave you breath but we have to make the game both directions, even if we concede chances.
“They can score a goal but we have to also make it a game of two directions, so they are also concerned about our forwards. I trust our forwards; I think they can make a difference.”
Romain Favre has recovered from illness and will be available.
