Brentford travel to Manchester City on Saturday for a place in next season’s Champions League, but star player Igor Thiago is backing them to get the job done.
Igor Thiago and Brentford dream of Champions League (Image: Philip Coburn/Daily Mirror)
Igor Thiago is confident Brentford will qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Brentford will face Treble-chasing Manchester City at the Etihad, full of belief that Keith Andrews’ side can push them into Europe. If Aston Villa win the Europa League and finish fifth, sixth place could be their passport to the Champions League.
Brazil star Thiago said the win against City only strengthened his belief that Brentford can turn a great season into an unforgettable one.
Thiago said: “Yes, definitely, because it gives us more confidence. There is no doubt about it. If we can win against such a big team, it will be a big achievement, an incredible achievement.”
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And if that happens, will Brentford make it to Europe?
Opta currently gives Villa a 36.9% chance of finishing fifth and winning the Europa League final. However, Opta’s predictive model also gives Brentford a 14.5% chance of finishing sixth, behind Bournemouth (34%) and Brighton (33%).
But in Thiago’s mind there is no doubt at all that they can achieve the unthinkable. “We believe so because we worked hard every day for that,” Thiago said. “I believe this will happen.”
Thiago has already scored 22 goals and his £30 million deal from Club Brugge is another tribute to the club’s smart progression and recruitment, making him one of the success stories of the Premier League season.
Brentford have a proud history of strikers such as Ollie Watkins and Brian Mbeumo. Thiago says he was well aware of them when he arrived and uses them as inspiration for his career.
Thiago talking to Mirror Football’s John Cross (Image: Philip Coburn/Daily Mirror)
Thiago added: “When you look at these players, that’s what motivates them to score this number. At the beginning, they were all scoring very high goals, over 20 goals, so this was a source of pressure.”
“I found it difficult to reach the same level, but it was a pressure, but not in a negative way. It was a source of inspiration.”
“This was a great season for me and a chance to show who I am. It’s been an unbelievable season. Now we just have to keep moving forward and stick to our guns.”
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