Head coach Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City have reached the point in the season where there is no margin for error.
With March approaching, City remain alive in four competitions. They have advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup, reached the final of the EFL Cup, moved into the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League and sit four points behind Arsenal in the Premier League title race.
For Guardiola, the stakes are clear. “We will take a break, but on Wednesday, I want to see them ready and focused,” he said. “When we arrive at this stage of the season, every game is a final. “It is almost March and the sky will be more blue and our mood will be better. It’s important to be there and I know we will do it well.
Phil Foden kisses Erling Haaland in a love gesture during a Manchester City game
A demanding schedule for the Cityzens
“Games every three days, in the Premier League if you lose, we are out. It has been so demanding for the lack for recovery. “But players are back, Rodri is playing minutes, and not a step back.” City‘s congested schedule has tested squad depth and recovery, but Guardiola emphasized that reinforcements are arriving at the right time.
Midfielder Rodri has returned to regular minutes, and the manager also provided encouraging updates on two key wingers. Jeremy Doku has been sidelined since he was substituted during a Champions League win over Galatasaray a month ago. Savinho, meanwhile, has not featured since New Year’s Day and has missed nearly seven weeks. Both players are nearing returns.
“Jeremy is close,” Guardiola said. “He still doesn’t train with us, but we will see. He’s a little better, but [against Salford] we needed wingers. “We know how important he is. It helps us a lot in how we play. I’m more than delighted with how we behave.
Savinho’s close to returning to the pitch
Guardiola was equally optimistic about Savinho‘s progress. “He’s been out for six weeks,” he said. “He could [have played] a few minutes, but we didn’t want to take risks. Training two days ago was wow, so good. He’s close.
“Now we have a long week and players coming back. “Already Savinho, when he will learn to make the finished product he will be an unbelievable winger on both sides.”
As City enter the decisive stretch of the campaign, the manager’s message is straightforward. With four trophies still in play and a tight league race unfolding, any slip could be decisive. Guardiola’s framing of each match as a final reflects both the opportunity and the pressure facing the club in the weeks ahead.
