Pep Guardiola has brushed off complaints about fixture congestion, insisting Manchester City must not hide behind their crowded calendar if they fall short in the Premier League title race.
Manchester City sit three points behind leaders Arsenal with the season entering its decisive weeks, but their run-in has grown even tighter after postponed matches against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth were rescheduled amid the FA Cup final against Chelsea on May 16.
The reshuffle leaves Guardiola’s side facing three matches in seven days between 13 and 19 May before wrapping up their league campaign against Aston Villa on 24 May.
Manchester City were understood to be frustrated by the revised timetable, believing the Palace fixture could have been rearranged earlier. Guardiola, however, dismissed any sense of grievance.
“It is what it is,” he said. “When we won the treble and the quadruple, we always had this kind of calendar. If you don’t like it, go and train in France or Portugal. I like being here. It has always been like this.”
Man City could be six points off the pace by the time they travel to Everton if Mikel Arteta’s side defeats Fulham this weekend, although City hold two games in hand in what is shaping up to be a title race that may be settled by goal difference.
Guardiola insisted his focus remains fixed on City’s own fixtures. “Sometimes you play first, sometimes behind. Nothing changes at this stage, you know exactly what you have to do.”
The Spaniard even admitted he was unsure of Arsenal’s kick-off time, adding he might catch the match after training.
