WE’LL CONQUER FEB FEARS.. THEN MARCH ON TITLE
Pep has faith in players to tough out ‘TERRIBLE’ month
PEP GUARDIOLA says he trusts his Manchester City players to come through a “terrible” month and stay on course for a successful title
defence.
City boss Guardiola branded February “terrible” because of the poor weather, heavy pitches and fixture pile-up, but said if his side can come through it intact, they can push for the title. The Blues can go top ahead of Liverpool on goal difference with victory over Everton tonight at Goodison Park.
And Guardiola is convinced that February – with the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup final – represents the biggest hurdle to their chances of glory this season.
“When I was abroad and before I came here, everyone talked about December,” said Guardiola.
“But after Boxing Day, I saw the schedule and said, ‘But this is worse’. Even worse. If you’re out of more competitions, it’s more comfortable.
“February is tougher than December. January is Carabao Cup and FA Cup, with teams from the Championship and League One. With all due respect, it’s different.
“But at the same time, when you arrive in
March, your training sessions are in better conditions. The sun is here, you see the end of the season is closer, the pitch is in better condition, you can take a coffee outside.
“In that situation you’re in four competitions – wow, it’s an extra plus.
“Then you’re realising, ‘Wow, we can do something special’, but we’re not in that position right now, because this month is terrible. Every game is a final and we have to wait.”
With little to separate City and Liverpool, Guardiola is convinced the title race will go right down to the wire and be decided on the final day.
Against that backdrop, the City boss is convinced his side have the mental strength to come out on top – and used last season’s Champions League quarter-final defeat to the Reds to illustrate his point.
“I’m pretty sure the winner will be decided in the last fixture or two,” said Guardiola. “I trust my players because we were 3-0 down after the Champions League quarter-final first-leg at Anfield, and the way we reacted and played was good.
“When I put them under pressure, they react good. They accept the challenge. When we speak, I say, ‘OK, show me again how good you are, come on’.
“We’re big contenders – but still we’re three points behind Liverpool.”
LIVERPOOL play a day after City throughout March – adding to the pressure on Klopp’s men: Sat, Mar 2: Bournemouth v Man City Sun, Mar 3: Everton v Liverpool Sat, Mar 9: Man City v Watford Sun, Mar 10: Liverpool v Burnley Sat, Mar 16: Man Utd v Man City Sun, Mar 17: Fulham v Liverpool Sat, Mar 30: Fulham v Man City Sun, Mar 31: Liverpool v Tottenham