John Stones has highlighted Manchester City’s confidence and aspiration for success, underscoring the team’s belief that they can win another treble this season.
City is still in all three of the competitions after experiencing victory in the FA Cup, Premier League, and Champions League last year.
Pep Guardiola’s team narrowed the deficit to division leaders Liverpool to one point on Saturday with a spirited 1-0 victory away from Bournemouth. Now, they will focus on Tuesday’s FA Cup fifth-round trip to Luton.
“Everyone wants us to accomplish that, and that is why we are all here. It’s still feasible for us to strive to replicate what we accomplished last season,” Stones stated.
“We made it feasible last season in part because of games like this one.
“We thus proceed to the following game with the same mindset, attempt to accomplish the same goals, secure another victory, and advance to the next round. We can succeed because of our team and squad, I’m confident.”
Against Bournemouth, England defender Stones was at his most adaptable, frequently moving into midfield and dominating in possession.
The champions had won 15 of their previous 17 games thanks to a tap-in goal in the first half from Phil Foden.
Additionally, it was City’s third clean sheet in their previous four league games, but it only came about because Ederson denied Dominic Solanke, Enes Unal missed a fantastic opportunity in stoppage time, and Marcus Tavernier wasted two excellent opportunities.
Stones stated on the club’s official website: “I felt Phil was amazing.
It is exactly what we hoped to win with three points.
We’re rather happy with it because we worked hard all the way through. It is never simple to arrive here and assume that you will rule for ninety-five minutes.
“We came through the tough times, which is so important and while you’ll in it, it is not nice but when you come through it, we’re really proud of ourselves and pleased to keep another clean sheet against a team that threw everything at it.”
Despite their attempts after the interval, Bournemouth’s winless league skid currently stands at seven games.
The FA Cup is the competition in which the Cherries have won twice in 2024, and they will return to it on Tuesday when they host Leicester, the top team in the Sky Bet Championship.
It is anticipated that defender Lloyd Kelly (hip) may miss time. Although manager Andoni Iraola was pleased with the team’s performance on Saturday, he cautioned that a revival is not assured.
“I think the only thing is probably it gives more hope for the next games if we can keep this level, but it is not a guarantee,” Iraola stated.
“We might not play here next week, and there’s no assurance that we will.
Different strategies, different games. We have to see how we bounce back from our extremely difficult cup match against Leicester.
“I believe it is a significant advantage that they have an extra day to relax. It’s also a really significant game for us.”