PEP GLAD TO STAY AT FOUR-FRONT

PEP GUARDIOLA says Manchester City can handle the pressure of fighting on four fronts ahead of tonight’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Burton.

Title rivals Liverpool, who made an early exit from the League Cup, crashed out of the FA Cup on Monday, but Guardiola believes a kinder fixture schedule does not necessarily give the Mersey men an advantage.

City will play at least five domestic games more than Liverpool because of their continued progress in the cup competitions.

In January alone they will play eight games compared to Liverpool’s five. But Guardiola said he would rather be in all four competitions, despite the physical and mental toll such a demanding schedule will place on his trophy-hunting players.

“If everyone is fit we can cope,” he said.

“The problem is if you have 10 injured players, then it’s almost impossible.

“But I prefer it. I like to be in the four competitions as far as possible. When

Wigan put us out of the FA Cup last season I was sad.

“I take the cups seriously. Against Rotherham we changed nine players but the nine were a good selection.

“It was perfect for

Kevin De Bruyne (below), Ilkay Gundogan, Nico Otamendi and Kyle Walker. Of course you need a big squad. Without quality you can’t win even one trophy. Today, not just in England, fighting for the title with 12 or 13 players is impossible.”

Despite the gulf in class between City and League One Burton, Guardiola insisted there is no way he or his players will take Nigel Clough’s side lightly.

“We had the experience against Bristol City in the semi-final last season, when we were 1-1 and then won 2-1 in the last minute,” said Guardiola (right).

“When you arrive at the semi-final stage, you have to respect the opponents. You have to get to know them.

“Yesterday I’d never watched one game of theirs but this afternoon I’ll see another with my analyst, see exactly what they are. We will prepare to get a good result and try to get to Wembley.

“When big clubs have the chance to win a final, they don’t have doubts. My experience from previous clubs is that when you have chance to reach a final, you take it.”