Manchester City are ending the season with four games in 12 days and Pep Guardiola has been given a tough task for Saturday's FA Cup final, with the Premier League title race still on
Pep Guardiola speaking in a press conference
Pep Guardiola was honest about Manchester City's preparations(Image: Hayters TV)
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Pep Guardiola says that Manchester City have not been able to train before the FA Cup final against Chelsea due to their tight schedule. City travel to Wembley on Saturday for the chance of winning a second domestic trophy this season in between Premier League matches.
Guardiola's side beat Crystal Palace 3-0 on Wednesday night to keep the pressure on league-leaders Arsenal. It was the first of four games in 12 days, with the Palace match rearranged from earlier in the season due to City's run in the Carabao Cup.
City are heavy favourites to add the Carabao Cup they won against Arsenal at Wembley in late March when they take on Calum McFarlane's out-of-form Chelsea side. They will then travel down to play Bournemouth on Tuesday before finishing the season at home to Aston Villa next Sunday.
They are two points behind Arsenal, who are in pole position ahead of games against Burnley and Palace, but Guardiola still has a task on his hands to juggle priorities. Asked if the Bournemouth game would influence his selection for Saturday, Guardiola responded immediately: "Zero. It's the final of the FA Cup."
"I would prefer seven days like Chelsea had, but when you win the Carabao Cup and reach the final of one of these domestic trophies you have to live with less days," he added in a pre-match press conference on Friday.
"It happened in the past when [we won] titles and it's not necessary to remember. It's the schedule. It's what it is. Of course, it's not ideal, it is what it is, we did it in the past and we'll have to do it tomorrow. The big clubs, you find, when you are in the more difficult circumstances than the opponents you do extra, you try to do it and this is what you have to do. It's simple.
"It's not the perfect scenario to prepare for the final because we did not train absolutely anything since the last game against Crystal Palace but I rely a lot on what we have to do - and we're going to try."
A general view of the Emirates FA Cup trophy prior to The Emirates FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Wembley Stadium on May 15, 2021 in London, England
Manchester City are in their fourth successive FA Cup final, but have lost the last two(Image: Getty)
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Asked if he had reviewed the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on January 4, Guardiola said: "I didn't have time. I will do it on the train down (tomorrow). They played different in each half: first half more passive, second half more aggressive, we had our momentum and at the end they equalise.
"We have to read what they are going to do. I saw their last game against Liverpool, because I like to see what the vibe and the tone of the team is like. They suffered the first 15 or 20 minutes, but Anfield always happens, and afterwards they came back with a goal from Enzo Fernandez and the time was good."
Although they have a busy schedule, City do have the advantage of a near fully-fit squad, with Rodri the only injury doubt. Erling Haaland and Nico O'Reilly were among those to be rested for the comfortable win over Palace and should be fresh for Wembley.
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