After a busy February Manchester City is now preparing to face a critical point in their season. They return to FA Cup action against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road tomorrow night. Following that they will play Manchester United, FC Copenhagen, Liverpool, Brighton, Arsenal and Aston Villa. While it appears to be a daunting run of fixtures City manager Pep Guardiola is relishing the challenge.
While the treble winners can’t win any trophies in their next 7 games the stretch of fixture has the potential to end their hopes of defending the treble won last season. It is a fine line for Manchester City to tread but it is one they have walked many times before. In seasons past, similar challenges have brought out the best in Pep Guardiola’s side. After tough 1-nil wins over Brentford and Bournemouth, they will be hoping the tough run of games will bring out their best. Manchester City are traditionally at their best when the stakes are raised and it may require them to be at their best to navigate a critical run of fixtures ahead.
Pep Guardiola is excited about what lies ahead for his team
Speaking before his team faces Luton Town in the FA Cup fifth round Pep Guardiola is excited about what lies ahead. He told the media that despite the stakes being raised his team will go for it in a bid to create history. Guardiola said: “Tomorrow is a final like the Premier League is in every game and, of course in the Champions League too. So the decisive period of the season is here in front of us. It’s not far away in front of us and we’re going for it.”
Guardiola was also asked if this is the most enjoyable part of the season. He said it is after months of work to have his team in position to contend for three trophies. Guardiola told the media: “Yes. It’s better to play for that than being 10th in the table. If you lose, bye-bye. It’s so nice. In October, September, the expectations are far, far away and in that moment you don’t think about titles. We will see at the end of March and beginning of April – it depends on what we have done this month (and next).”
A critical point of the season begins tomorrow night at Kenilworth Road for Manchester City. But it is also arguably the most exciting time of the season as the finish line appears in view.
