Club will have a full week of rest for the first time this year after facing Salford in the FA Cup
Pep Guardiola says his exhausted side can’t wait to take a breather after playing 13 games in six weeks.
City have been continuously in action since the start of the year, competing in four competitions. They now face Salford City in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday.
After that, their next fixture is against Newcastle at the Etihad on 21 February. It will be the first time they will have a full week off this year.
“We need this long week because we are so, so exhausted physically and mentally from this incredible amount of games in many months,” said Guardiola. “We can have a little break after the game tomorrow.
However, Guardiola won’t let the prospect of some rest distract his players from their task to advance in the competition.
“Our priority is beating Salford and going to the next round,” said Guardiola. “In this competition, over the last years, [we have been] reaching finals, finals and finals.
“Unfortunately we could not win the last two finals but being there is always a success. I always think about that.
“Of course, [Salford] are League Two and of course we play at home, but I try to knuckle into the mind of the players that nothing is for granted and that everything is difficult.
“Of course, it could be easy afterwards but we have to do our job. That’s why in a tight competition in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, we have always been there. We have always behaved really, really good and tomorrow cannot be an exception.”
