MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) - Pep Guardiola insisted on Friday (Jan 11) he will be happy if Manchester City have no time for a mid-season break, because it will mean they are still competing for every trophy.
City's rivals Manchester United took the opportunity this week for a warm-weather training trip to Dubai, allowing boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer time to work on his squad's fitness.
Guardiola did take his players to Abu Dhabi last March, after their surprise FA Cup fifth round defeat at Wigan left them with a free week.
The City boss will consider a similar trip this time round if an early FA Cup exit leaves a gap in their match schedule.
But he acknowledges that it may be difficult to fit in such a break if City remain in the hunt for all four major prizes.
"Hopefully not, because that means we continue in the FA Cup and especially in the Champions League. We will see. If not, then we will have this time in summer time," Guardiola told a press conference.
"Last season, it was quite similar. But then after Wigan beat us in the FA Cup, we went there."
City are still in contention for a quadruple of Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup titles, something that has never been achieved in the English game.
They took a significant step towards winning one of those trophies on Wednesday, thrashing third tier Burton Albion 9-0 in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final.
It means that, barring something extraordinary in the second leg on January 23, City will feature in the final at Wembley on Feb 24.
That creates another barrier to a potential winter vacation as their league fixture at Everton, scheduled for the previous day, would have to be rearranged.
"Did you see the schedule this morning? I saw the schedule, and the Everton game will be fixed for another week, so we don't have many (spaces in the schedule for a warm-weather break), so we'll see," Guardiola said.
TITLE RACE
City, having taken a step towards a cup final, resume their attempt to catch leaders Liverpool in the Premier League title race on Monday, when they host Wolves.
Guardiola's side, in second place, are four points behind Liverpool after beating them 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Jan 3.
It was Liverpool's first league defeat of the season, and may have increased the pressure on a team trying to become champions of England for the first time since 1990.
But Guardiola rejected the suggestion that he is happier chasing than leading.
"I prefer to be in Liverpool's position," he said.
Guardiola hopes to have Sergio Aguero back for the Wolves match, with the striker having missed City's past two matches because of illness, while Vincent Kompany is close to recovering from a muscle problem.
City have found it tough keeping pace with Liverpool, despite collecting 50 points from 21 games, a better average this season than Barcelona, who are top of La Liga.
Barcelona have collected 40 points from 18 games, an average of 2.22 per match, while City's average of 2.38 is currently only good enough for second place.
"The Premier League is incredibly tough," he said. You don't realise how tough it is until you are here for the amount of games, the weather, the time needed for players to recover."
Why do guys play hard to get? Well, boys can be so confusing, honestly. And when it comes to feelings, it can be hard to tell where they stand. Now, you may be wondering, why do guys play hard to get if they know I like them? This is the million dollar question. But don't worry, I have some answers for you.
37 Inspiring Quotes About Working Hard and Achieving Big
Cristiano Ronaldo leaving Real Madrid is an unimaginable prospect for coach Zinedine Zidane. Zidane sure of Ronaldo's stay. But Zidane is confident Ronaldo will stay with Madrid for the
Cristiano Ronaldo world of sponsorships and product
Mauricio Pochettino and Danny Rose. Those comments will leave Pochettino with a difficult decision to make over the England international who on several occasions this season has proven why he's one of the very best in his position. Read More. Marcus Edwards, Onomah, Carter-Vickers - What next for the 8 Spurs players who went out on loan
Kevin De Bruyne's timely return to action for Manchester City is a major boost for Pep Guardiola as his team brace for a punishing programme over the festive period. The Belgium international, who
Man City's De Bruyne upbeat as he bids to put injuries behind him
MADRID (AFP) - Former Arsenal, Real Madrid and Spain star Jose Antonio Reyes has been killed in a car crash, his hometown club Sevilla said on Saturday (June 1). He was 35.. Read more at
Football: Grief in Sevilla as former star Jose Antonio Reyes
LEICESTER, England (REUTERS) - Crystal Palace piled further pressure on Leicester City manager Claude Puel on Saturday (Feb 23) with a comprehensive 4-1 Premier League win over his team, who have
Crystal Palace rout Leicester to step up pressure on Puel
How Liverpool's belief has ensured fate is in their own hands for the Champions League final the brilliant Ukrainian was left broken. Klopp's Reds have the quality to kick any number
Reds have the belief - LancsLive
A new report claims that UEFA members have decided that a ban from the competition would be suitable punishment, but could it really happen? Manchester City are currently under investigation
Unai Emery defended Shkodran Mustafi following the centre-back's mistake during Arsenal's 3-2 defeat to Crystal Palace. The Gunners' top-four hopes were dealt a serious blow after goals from Christian Benteke, Wilfried Zaha and James McArthur sealed a memorable win for the Eagles.
Emery's defense of Mustafi is noble, but it also ignores
(REUTERS) - Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has admitted sending a member of his coaching staff to spy on Derby County ahead of their Championship (second-tier) match on Friday (Jan 11).. Read
From Bielsa With Love! Leeds manager admits sending spy to Derby
Final-day hurrahs, Football News & Top Stories The Straits TimesWhen Manchester City and Liverpool take to the field on the final day of the season tomorrow, it will be the eighth time in the
Dennis Brand Leads Heading Into Final Day of Harrah'S
Football: 10-man Arsenal slump in Rennes, Sevilla held in Europa League Sevilla, who have won the Europa League three times, twice went ahead against Slavia Prague but were pegged back on both
Football: 10-man Arsenal slump in Rennes, Sevilla held, in
Football: Sacked Puel says it was an 'honour' to manage Leicester and work for late owner Vichai Claude Puel's 16-month reign came to an end after the 4-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace on Feb 23
Sacked Puel says an 'honour' to manage Leicester
0 comments:
Post a Comment