Man City’s Caballero ready to fight for ‘trophy’ of top-four finish

Willy Caballero insists the manner of Manchester City’s Champions League exit is driving them on secure a top-four finish in the Premier League.

Despite leading 5-3 from the first leg, the Citizens put in a disappointing performance at the Stade Louis II stadium last week, slipping to a 3-1 defeat to go out on away goals to Monaco and miss out on the Champions League quarter-finals.

They responded by sharing a point with top-four rivals Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday – a performance which left manager Pep Guardiola proud of his players and describing it as one of the most special days of his life.

(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

City currently sit third in the table, five points clear of fifth-placed Manchester United albeit having played a game more.

Premier League action now takes a back seat for the international break but Caballero, whose team are still in the FA Cup – insists a top four finish is paramount.

“This is our trophy now. We are fighting every single game to be in the four who qualify for the Champions League,” Caballero said.

“After the way that we lost against Monaco, the most important thing for us is to be there the next year, in the Champions League again.

“We have to win the next game to be in those kind of positions and fight until the end because it is going to be a really difficult run. The rest of the teams are fighting a lot.”