CITY'S NINE LIVES

Pep stars revved up for massive Prem run-in as Gonzalez says, 'Every game is a final' in the chase for Champions League place

- BY DAVID MCDONNELL

NICO GONZALEZ revealed Manchester City's players have held meetings about the importance of securing a Champions League place.

Since qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in 2011, City have not been out of European football's elite competition.

But in this unusually turbulent season for the soon-to-be-deposed champions, the prospect of a season without the Champions League is a real threat for the 2023 winners of the tournament.

This draw meant City failed to climb to fourth spot and, while fifth place should be enough to secure a Champions League place given the Premier League's UEFA coefficient ranking, even that is by no means certain.

Fourth-placed Chelsea, Newcastle, Brighton, Aston Villa and Bournemouth are within touching distance of City, with midfielder Gonzalez (above) admitting Pep Guardiola's men are fully aware of the pressure they are under.