Man City face up to hard grind
Players drown out noise about ‘too many games’
MANCHESTER City’s players do not appear to share manager Pep Guardiola’s concern about a congested fixture list as they prepare to host Burnley in the third round of the FA Cup today.
Guardiola is worried that City have more matches than they can cope with as they compete for success in four competitions.
His side played nine matches during last month and play at least seven this month – if they reach the finals of the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup, they will have played a minimum of 63 games by the end of the season.
Guardiola said after Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Watford, a result that maintained City’s 15-point lead at the top of the Premier League, that English football’s busy Christmas and New Year schedule was “going to kill the players”.
Yet midfielder Fernandinho and goalkeeper Ederson have both said they were happy to be playing so many games, and would gladly face Burnley this weekend, even though their manager is considering changes to keep senior players fresh.
“I spent New Year’s Day at home with my child and my wife and I was fresh,” said Fernandinho.
“We will see what Pep is going to do but for sure, every player is going to be ready if he needs them to play.
“We are here, we are professional and I don’t like to rest.”
Ederson is likely to be replaced by Claudio Bravo, who has featured in all of City’s League Cup ties this season but the Brazil goalkeeper indicated that he is ready to play too.
“All the players like to play games, so it is great we have so many matches,” he said.
City have not lost a domestic game since they were knocked out of last season’s FA Cup by Arsenal at the semi-final stage in April.
They did, though, find it tough against Burnley in the Premier League fixture at the Etihad Stadium in October, needing two quick goals from Nicolas Otamendi and Leroy Sane in the final 20 minutes to ensure a flattering 3-0 victory.
City remain without striker Gabriel Jesus, who will be absent until next month with medial knee ligament damage suffered during the 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace on Sunday, while right-back Kyle Walker is a doubt after limping off against Watford with a groin problem.
Midfielder David Silva has missed several matches to be with his young son Mateo, who is seriously ill after being born prematurely. — AFP