Carlo Ancelotti says Everton are “mentally and physically” primed for the “most important” game of their season at Manchester City on Sunday.
Everton’s hopes of playing European football next term hinge on securing a positive result against the Premier League champions – while keeping their fingers crossed for favourable outcomes elsewhere.
Pep Guardiola’s City wrapped up their third title in four seasons 10 days ago and will host Everton six days before the club’s first Champions League final.
Ancelotti expects a fully tuned-in home team, regardless.
But the Italian is convinced Everton – who will be missing James Rodriguez and captain Seamus Coleman at the Etihad Stadium – can secure a Club record-equalling 12th away win of the campaign.
“I said we wanted to fight until the last minute of the last game and we are there to fight… with all our motivation and all our energy ,” said Ancelotti.
“We know it will be, maybe, the most difficult game [of the season] against the champions but we are confident because we did really well away.
“We had fantastic results against strong teams.
“The motivation is really high, the pressure also, but this is absolutely normal.
“This is the most important game of the season but mentally and physically we are ready.
“It doesn’t matter who plays for Manchester City, they have a fantastic squad and fantastic idea of football.
“We expect the best Manchester City possible.
“I don’t think they will be thinking about the [Champions League] final, it is in one week.
“They will play this game at their best.”
Ancelotti insisted James was “sad and disappointed” his calf problem – which kept the Colombian out of Wednesday’s win over Wolverhampton Wanderers – had drawn his campaign to a premature conclusion.
Coleman sustained a niggle during that Goodison Park meeting with Wolves, settled by a Richarlison goal that extended Everton’s fight for European football to the season’s final day.
If Everton leap above Tottenham Hotspur into seventh they will compete in the inaugural Europa Conference League next term.
Spurs, level on points with Ancelotti’s team but owning a much-superior goal difference, visit Leicester City on Sunday.
“I was sure the reaction would be there [against Wolves]," said Ancelotti, whose side were beaten by Sheffield United in their previous match.
“The game against City is a bit different, we don’t need to react but the motivation has to be really high.
“The target is really close, only one game, it doesn’t depend only on us, we have to be lucky with other results but we have to do our job, which is to try to win.
“I am really pleased [with progress this season], we were more competitive and won a lot of difficult away games.
“That was the best part of this season, then the worst part was, of course, the home run, which was not good enough.
“For next season, we have to put more quality in the squad and play more attractive football.”
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Ancelotti reiterated European qualification will have no bearing on summer recruitment plans.
“We have time to talk in the next few weeks about how to improve the squad,” continued Ancelotti, who revealed earlier this week he would prioritise the acquisition of a wide player.
"We have to prepare next season with a better team and squad to be more competitive than this season.
“The plan is clear, the profile of player we need is clear for everyone and we have to work on it.
“The profile [specifically for this position] is a winger who scores goals and is able to defend and sacrifice and put in crosses.
“They are not easy to find but if you look in the market there are a lot of good players around the world.”
Ben Godfrey was among Ancelotti’s first wave of additions and following a tremendous debut season is broadly considered a contender for England’s European Championship squad, due to be announced on Tuesday.
“If he is selected it will be a fantastic gift for his season, which was absolutely outstanding,” said Ancelotti.
“The competition in the England squad is really high.
“But he did his best and, for me, it is enough.”
