Bournemouth membidik kemenangan krusial atas tuan rumah Nottingham Forest di Stadion City Ground pada Minggu, 24 Mei 2026, demi mengamankan tiket kualifikasi Liga Champions di hari terakhir Liga Inggris.
Pertandingan pamungkas ini menjadi momen penentu bagi Andoni Iraola yang akan melakoni laga terakhirnya sebagai manajer Bournemouth, sekaligus berambisi menyapu bersih dua kemenangan musim ini atas tim tuan rumah.
Dilansir dari goal.com, Bournemouth saat ini menempati peringkat keenam klasemen sementara, sedangkan Nottingham Forest berada di posisi ke-16 setelah berhasil menjauh dari zona degradasi di bawah arahan Vitor Pereira.
Sebelumnya, Bournemouth tampil impresif dengan menahan imbang Manchester City 1-1 pada 19 May 2026 yang memastikan Arsenal juara, sementara Nottingham Forest kalah 3-2 dari Manchester United pada 17 May 2026.
"Now, we are in a mood where we probably feel like it could happen. What we have to do is control what we can control, which is our result against Forest. Get the result that we need so we can finish sixth and then wait and see if there is an extra reward." ujar Andoni Iraola, Manajer Bournemouth dalam konferensi pers sebelum pertandingan seperti dikutip dari bbc.co.uk.
Iraola menambahkan bahwa Nottingham Forest merupakan lawan tangguh karena memiliki kualitas pemain dan performa yang sangat tinggi, serta kerap bermain dengan dua penyerang nomor sembilan.
"I think it is a difficult one, first of all, because of the level of the opponents is very high in terms of form and in terms of the quality of their players. They've changed a little bit the way they play, they are playing a lot of times with two number nines. Then they have lovely technical players. Gibbs-White, Hutchinson, McAtee that technically are so, so clean and they're dangerous. This is the Premier League and every time you face an opponent you face big threats. We are playing for something that could be incredible for us. You never know when the next time you're going to have a chance like this." kata Andoni Iraola, Manajer Bournemouth.
Mengenai kondisi skuad menjelang laga di City Ground tersebut, Iraola memastikan bahwa seluruh pemain yang terlibat dalam pertandingan melawan Manchester City siap untuk diturunkan kembali.
"I think everyone involved in the City game will be ready again to go on Sunday. We still have tomorrow's training, but if everything goes normal, then everybody should be ready to go." kata Andoni Iraola, Manajer Bournemouth.
Iraola juga memberikan pujian kepada gelandang muda Alex Scott yang berhasil masuk ke dalam skuad latihan tim nasional Inggris untuk Piala Dunia 2026 berkat penampilan fenomenalnya sepanjang musim ini.
"He is more than good enough to be there. I think he has been phenomenal this season, the whole season. I think in a defender role, trying to help the ones in the squad, I think he will be a great help for England. His attitude has always been top. If they need him or something happens, he will be ready. Defensively I think he is one of the best." ujar Andoni Iraola, Manajer Bournemouth.
Selain membahas timnya, Iraola turut mengomentari kabar besar mengenai kepergian Pep Guardiola dari Manchester City yang dinilainya telah memberikan pengaruh luar biasa dan warisan besar bagi sepak bola.
"Massive news because Pep has changed the game. I think he's influenced the leagues where he has been coaching. His time at Manchester City, I think he's been phenomenal, probably the best manager they have seen. I have played against him as a player and a coach and obviously his legacy is there. I wish him all the best." kata Andoni Iraola, Manajer Bournemouth.
Dalam laga ini, Nottingham Forest dilaporkan kehilangan beberapa pilar akibat cedera seperti Callum Hudson-Odoi dan Murillo, sementara Bournemouth hanya kehilangan Ryan Christie yang terkena sanksi larangan bertanding.
