Pep Guardiola accepts he cannot control whether his Manchester City players play over the international break – but warned that they should remember they are only playing friendlies in the coming fortnight.
With their victory over Newcastle on Saturday, City secured a spot in the FA Cup semi-final, advancing them to the March internationals with a winning record and a chance to win a double treble.
When they get back, City will play Arsenal in a Premier League title match, Aston Villa in a challenging match, and Real Madrid in a two-leg quarterfinal match in the Champions League.
So Guardiola wants his players back in the best possible condition – and while he admits he cannot do anything about them representing their countries, he can remind them that there are more important games on the horizon.
Guardiola brushed off concerns over heavy treatment towards Erling Haaland and his following substitution. Asked specifically about Haaland’s upcoming involvement for Norway in two friendly games, Guardiola replied: “He is not my player anymore from now on, what they will decide will be fine.
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“They know that they fought a lot and train a lot, a lot of adrenaline and concentration to arrive in this position. They know they are friendly games and they have to handle it wisely. Hopefully they can do it.”
Meanwhile, Guardiola praised his side for their consistency in becoming the first team to reach six semi-finals in succession, saying the achievement ‘defines’ the club.
“Always we expect the best for the team, but after we won the treble, five titles, we are coming back for last international break. One month, two months left to be in contention for all the titles means a lot. Defines what is the team.
“People talk about the Premier League and Champions League, but when you are able to win four Carabao Cups in a row, six FA Cup semi-finals in a row, this club has something special. It’s incredible. Of course we want to win all the FA Cups, all of them, but sometimes is not possible, basically for the quality of the opponents and the schedule we have.
“I remember against Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, playing away on Wednesday in the Champions League quarter-final and then Saturday at Wembley. It’s so difficult to arrive against these top teams in the best condition. It’s so difficult but we are there. Six times in a row – always you have a bad night home or away, but when you do six you don’t have bad nights.”
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