Guardiola: This has been our toughest season of all

PEP GUARDIOLA claims to have suffered the toughest season in years but insists that Manchester City have the experience to continue fighting on three fronts. City, embroiled in their first three-way title race under Guardiola, will not have a free midweek before the Premier League season ends on May 19 should they progress against Real Madrid to make a fourth consecutive Champions League semi-final. Rodri revealed that he needs a rest ahead of today’s home game against Luton but Guardiola believes the City midfielder will be available. ‘We know what we are playing for,’ said the City manager. ‘They know how tough it has been this season for many reasons, maybe one of the toughest seasons we have faced. ‘We know internally how difficult it has been in many, many moments this season and we were still there. ‘People say, “You (have) done it, so you’re going to win”. No, it’s not about that. But we have done it and know what we have to do. ‘I’m pretty sure

Rodri will be ready. It’s not just Rodri. I’d love to rest central defenders but we don’t have them, so they cannot rest.’ Rodri is arguably the most difficult player for Guardiola (left) to replace in his squad, and City lost all four of the domestic games he missed through suspension earlier this season. They have not lost any of the last 66 games in which Rodri played. Guardiola must balance the need for rest against the importance of maintaining their league form. City have the chance to land the first blow in the title race today, knowing victory over Luton will send them top ahead of Arsenal and Liverpool’s fixtures tomorrow. City, chasing a fourth successive title, have not lost in the league since December but head into the weekend third in the table – a point adrift of their rivals. One area of concern is that Erling Haaland has scored only one in his last five for City – although he has 30 goals for the season so far. But Guardiola has defended the 23year-old striker against criticism saying: ‘It’s the most difficult position on the pitch. Two against one.’