Bournemouth Incar Satu Poin Demi Amankan Tiket Kompetisi Eropa

AFC Bournemouth hanya membutuhkan satu poin tambahan dari dua laga tersisa untuk mengunci posisi enam besar klasemen Liga Utama Inggris saat menjamu Manchester City di Stadion Vitality pada Selasa malam.

Kepastian tersebut menyusul hasil pertandingan hari Minggu ketika Sunderland mengalahkan Everton 3-1 dan Brighton kehilangan poin akibat kesalahan menit terakhir Jan Paul van Hecke yang membuat Leeds United menang 1-0 di Elland Road.

Langkah Bournemouth dipastikan tidak mudah karena Manchester City baru saja menjuarai Piala FA usai menundukkan Chelsea 1-0 lewat gol Antoine Semenyo, serta sedang bersaing ketat mengejar Arsenal dalam perebutan takhta juara liga.

Di sisi lain, Bournemouth bermodalkan catatan impresif tidak terkalahkan dalam 16 pertandingan terakhir di liga, sekaligus menjadi laga kandang perpisahan bagi manajer Andoni Iraola yang akan hengkang pada musim panas.

"[On Sunday] we were actually in training, spending some time with the families. The situation hasn't changed. We needed one point before the games [on Sunday], we need one point after the games." kata Andoni Iraola, Manajer AFC Bournemouth.

Iraola menegaskan bahwa skuadnya berada dalam kondisi siap tempur tanpa kendala cedera pemain demi menghadapi tantangan besar dari sang juara bertahan.

"We are close, but we still don't have it. We need one more point, but it won't be easy. [Manchester] City are in good form after a trophy, and they are also fighting for the league – but we are ready. We are in a good place and we don't have injuries. We are looking forward to the game tomorrow." ujar Andoni Iraola, Manajer AFC Bournemouth.

Pelatih asal Spanyol tersebut menambahkan bahwa kelolosan ke kompetisi Eropa akan menjadi pencapaian luar biasa yang akan meningkatkan level klub serta memberikan panggung besar bagi para pemain musim depan.

"After three lovely seasons where I've enjoyed so much, to finish with European qualification would be incredible. It puts the club on a different level. It gives also the correct platform to continue this development, to continue growing. For the players, it’s a chance to play a lot of games next season." tutur Andoni Iraola, Manajer AFC Bournemouth.

Mengingat beratnya persiapan taktis untuk pertandingan ini, Iraola mengaku belum terlalu memikirkan sisi emosional dari laga terakhirnya di kandang.

"We had so many good moments so it's going to be special. Because the game is so difficult, and you have to prepare so well and I am thinking of so many things, I'm not thinking about the emotional side of my last game. But I think at the end of the game tomorrow it is going to be a hard moment." ucap Andoni Iraola, Manajer AFC Bournemouth.

Ia mengungkapkan bahwa keputusan untuk menyudahi kebersamaan selama tiga tahun di klub ini sebenarnya sudah diambil sejak lama, tanpa menduga situasi persaingan Eropa saat ini.

"When we took the decision, it was some time ago and we were not really thinking about whether we were going to qualify for Europe. It was more about the mid to long-term view and we decided that it was the right moment to end these three years here. I would definitely love to get something." sebut Andoni Iraola, Manajer AFC Bournemouth.

Meski target utamanya adalah mengamankan tiket Eropa, Iraola tidak menampik bahwa lolos ke Liga Champions atau Liga Europa akan jauh lebih baik daripada Liga Konferensi.

"If we get the Europa League, better than the Conference – and if we get the Champions League, [that's] better than the Europa League. I would be so happy, but it doesn't change my point of view." jelas Andoni Iraola, Manajer AFC Bournemouth.

Iraola juga memberikan perhatian khusus kepada penyerang lawan, Antoine Semenyo, yang mencetak gol kemenangan Manchester City di final Piala FA.

"[Antoine] is a top player. I'm very happy for him and we were celebrating his goal because it was good for us. He is definitely one of the players to limit in some way." kata Andoni Iraola, Manajer AFC Bournemouth.