This month’s break in the hectic football schedule provides Manchester City with a rare chance to reset and refresh. There are only three games on the schedule and possibly four if the treble winners beat Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup on Sunday.
It is a rare break in the busy football calendar for Pep Guardiola and his squad. With City having key players injured and now suffering from illness it provides the opportunity for the players to return to full fitness. After a hectic December schedule where the world champions played 9 games including the FIFA Club World Cup the chance for the City squad to refresh and train is a welcome one.
Speaking before Sunday’s FA Cup third-round tie against Huddersfield Town Pep Guardiola welcomed the break. He told the media: “We have more time to train and remember things that you cannot do normally. Normally you have to do things we don’t have time to do it in the busy schedule. Same time we don’t lose what we do every single day. I think the Premier League took a great decision. To make it intense on Boxing Day and Christmas time like it’s always been.”
With the UEFA Champions League due to return next month, Guardiola welcomed the chance for his squad to refresh. He added: “Then in January make a break for the teams. Especially playing European competitions. It helps us in February a little bit fresh mentally. It is what it is. In the past, there were more games and we did it and we won a lot even in the tough period.”
Given the hectic schedule both domestically and with international football it is a welcome break for the City players. It is one that Pep Guardiola and his squad seem intent on making use of as they attempt to defend the treble won last season.
