“There aren’t many journalists here, are there? The game doesn’t seem important,” were the first words Josep Guardiola said when he arrived at the press conference after Manchester City beat Southampton in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.
Becoming the first team to reach the final in four consecutive seasons in football’s oldest competition would normally be the main event, but City’s Premier League title rivals Arsenal were also in attendance, with a nervy 1-0 win over Newcastle to take them top of the table.
Perhaps it was a shame that Guardiola, the only English manager to win the treble, was somewhat overlooked as his team took a major step towards repeating that feat. But he insists it’s “too far away” to talk about it.
City withstood Southampton’s onslaught and, after conceding a goal in the 79th minute to a screamer from Finn Azaz, responded worthy of the champions with goals from Jeremy Doku and Nico Gonzalez, securing a place in the final against Chelsea or Leeds on May 16.
Man City praise Nico Gonzalez’s screamer
Asked about winning the domestic treble, Guardiola said: “I’ll tell you before the Aston Villa game (the final game of the Premier League season) if I get the chance.Right now, that’s a long way off.”
“It’s important for the players to have three days off. I told them, ‘Don’t think about football, rest and start the season with five games and the FA Cup final.’
City play 6 finals in 21 days
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Free to watch: Premier League highlights of Arsenal vs. Newcastle United
City currently sit three points behind Arsenal due to a lack of games, but could be six games away from adding the Premier League and FA Cup to their Carabao Cup trophy.
The matches will be played over 21 days and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, starting with City’s return to action on Monday, May 4th for their trip to Everton in the Premier League.
Monday, May 4th 6:30pm
Kickoff at 8pm
Asked if every game would be like a final, Guardiola said: “That’s right. Six games, win and you’re in. Lose and you’re done.”
“People ask us to define[City]but how many Champions Leagues are there? How many times is there this or that? To define a club is to win the Carabao Cup five times and to be in the FA Cup final four times in a row. That defines us.”
“You can always have a bad afternoon, a bad day with an injury and you can’t play that day. In this competition, which is minor compared to the Premier League or the Champions League, we were always there. We reached the final again.”
Was City’s performance a concern?
Gonzalez (left) celebrates with John Stones after scoring the winning goal.
While Wednesday’s not-so-convincing league win over Burnley, which saw them narrowly avoid defeat to a Championship team, may not have done much to allay fears that City were treading water at the most crucial stage of the season, there were circumstances that could have helped.
Guardiola made eight changes, initially keeping most of his key players out of the attacking line. Erling Haaland, Marc Göch, Bernardo Silva, Jeremy Doku and Nico O’Reilly were named as substitutes, avoiding injury concerns.
It’s no surprise that City lacked rhythm in the first half due to substitutions. In the second half, as Guardiola pointed out, Southampton could barely get out of their own half before Azas’s scream. “Soccer is unpredictable,” he said.
It’s remarkable how predictable City’s return was. Detractors may point out that they are playing against lower-league opponents, but Southampton went on a 20-game unbeaten run and beat Arsenal and Fulham to reach the last four of the FA Cup.
City’s ability to face defeat and find another gear is a trait Arsenal are looking to acquire. The mental resolve of a champion can only be earned by crossing the line when the stakes are highest. And that will help in the next six games.
What is the possibility of gaining an advantage in the title fight?
With Arsenal playing two games before kicking a ball again, the rest could be an advantage for City in the title race over the next few games.
Guardiola has given his players three days off and City’s side will be back to settle in for their first day back in training when Arsenal take on Atlético in Madrid in Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final.
Arsenal then face Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday, two days before City resume play.
The importance of rest cannot be underestimated after a draining week for City, which saw them beat Arsenal in the Premier League, then Burnley before heading into Saturday’s draining finale against Southampton.
Guardiola said: “It’s been a difficult week. There were a lot of emotions.” “I learned in this country that if you take a day off, you play better. People say the more you practice, the better you play, but it’s quite the opposite.
“We practiced a lot in the beginning, but now it’s a good time. We need everyone to be ready.”
That’s certainly true. As it stands, City are outside of the Premier League title, with Opta’s supercomputer giving Arsenal a 72.44 per cent chance of lifting the trophy after they continue to beat Newcastle.
Man City’s remaining PL matches
Burnley (A) – Wednesday 22nd April – Live on Sky Sports
Everton (A) – Monday 4th May – Live on Sky Sports
Brentford (H) – Saturday 9th May – Live on Sky Sports
Bournemouth (A) – Sunday 17 May
Crystal Palace (H) – TBC
Aston Villa (H) – Sunday 24th May
Arsenal’s remaining PL matches
Fulham (H) – Saturday 2nd May – Live on Sky Sports
West Ham (A) – Sunday 10th May – Live on Sky Sports
Burnley (H) – Sunday 17th May
Crystal Palace (A) – Sunday, May 24th
