Bournemouth’s Iraola wary of Manchester City ahead of trip to Etihad

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is bidding to become the first Cherries head coach to take a Premier League point against Manchester City when both teams meet in the Premier League on Saturday. Bournemouth have lost all 12 of their Premier League meetings with the Citizens, and they also go into the game after an impressive 2-1 loss to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

However, the Cherries Premier League form leaves a lot to be desired. Their 2-1 win over Burnley last weekend at Vitality Stadium was their first Premier League win of the season, coming on matchday ten and also barely taking them out of the relegation zone into 17th with six points, one ahead of Luton Town in the final drop zone spot.

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola identifies the quality that Manchester City possesses and what makes it difficult to get a win against the defending champions.

“They have so many different ways of doing the same things – if you prepare for one thing, they will change in five minutes, and then you have to find another solution. And then they will change again. You have to prepare very well; players have to be ready for adjustments all the time, every minute. Obviously, if it hasn’t been done before, it’s because it’s very difficult. We are playing against, probably, right now, the best team in the world.” Iraola said.

He continues to acknowledge that Pep Guardiola’s team has won a lot of things this past season but admits that for Bournemouth to have a chance at winning, they have to maximize the chances they get, have a good performance, try to be more clinical and make the game two directions.

Manchester City last played a game last weekend in their 3-0 win over Manchester United in the Manchester derby; they sit in third position on the Premier League table with two points behind leaders Tottenham.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu