Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has praised a number of his stars, whilst also stressing the importance of rest as the season reaches its culmination.
City defeated Southampton 2-1 to reach the FA Cup final for the fourth season in a row. With the Blues still neck and neck with Arsenal in the Premier League, they could be on course to claiming a domestic treble.
Guardiola insisted: “The impact of Jeremy (Doku) and Savinho, especially Jeremy, that they had in the game, if they had started in the game, it would not happen. Would not happen.
“I’ll put an example. Like Bernardo, for example. Or Erling. Erling needs to be fresh.
“Erling, when Omar was in AFCON, he was there, he played every three days, three days, three days. His rhythm draws a little bit.
“The moment you have long weeks, look. He’s flying again, scoring goals and assists. Because he’s a human being. It’s a lot of games. So, that’s why you have to manage it in the best way.”
City now have eight days until their next game at Everton, before facing six matches in 21 days. Guardiola described the upcoming schedule as ‘terrible’, but confirmed that he will allow his squad three days off before returning to training.
The Catalan continued: “We felt we have to make all the players play today. But they have a lot of confidence, all of them. All of them.
“Look at the game from John. It was extraordinary. Amazing game. So, they are so reliable. We know each other for one decade. So, I know that they will be there.
“Matheus Nunes is becoming one of the best right-backs in the world. Defensively. Attention to the line. Arriving at the by-line. So, many, many good things today.
“The game from Ait-Nouri was a thousand times much better than Burnley. The impact in going there. So, that is what we need.
“At the end Omar didn’t score but had three or four chances there.
“So, at the end, it makes you feel okay. Together. Let’s do it together. The five games. Plus the FA Cup final. Let’s do it together.
“And after that, holidays in the summer and come back next season.”