‘Enjoy life’ - Manchester City prepares for season defining schedule

Manchester City are in a Premier League title race. No surprise about that, is there?

What is a surprise is that despite being below par compared to previous title winning campaigns, City are still there, and they are not hanging on to Arsenal by their fingernails.

The Gunners drawing two of their last three league games has brought City right back into the heat of battle, with just a five-point cushion separating Arsenal from the second placed Blues.

A 2-1 win over Newcastle United last weekend was celebrated by City like they had won the trophy, but the scenes were prompted with the knowledge that they are still within touching distance before a relentless schedule takes shape.

Pep urges players to rest before Leeds trip

Pep Guardiola press conferences often conjure up some fascinating quotes, and in his post-match briefing following the Newcastle win, cocktails were on the menu.

"I say to the players: 'Guys, what we have to do is take a lot of caipirinhas, daiquiris in these three days [off]!" said Guardiola.

"Enjoy life. And after that, make a proper three training sessions, and go to Leeds."

Guardiola is aware of the task in front of his team, he has been here before, as winter turns to spring, this is the time where major silverware could be won and lost.

For him, it’s paramount he urges his squad to arrive at this crucial juncture with clear minds, the new faces are in for a shock of what is on the horizon with City competing on four fronts.

Can City cope with two matches per week schedule?

Travelling to Leeds is never an easy task, especially where one slip up could spell the end of a title challenge coupled with the Yorkshire side battling for Premier League survival.

Overcoming Leeds at Elland Road will be the first of many obstacles for City as they prepare for what will feel like an endless run of matches with all four competitions entering the finishing straight.

Up to and including the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal on March 22, City will play seven matches over a three-week period. If they manage to progress in the FA Cup and Champions League, a similar pattern will follow after the March international break.

Much has been made of City’s squad, and how Guardiola is seemingly able to slot players into unfamiliar positions who then thrive.

Nico O’Reilly, who scored both goals against Newcastle last weekend, is a perfect example. Originally a defender, the 20-year-old often finds himself operating as a box-to-box midfielder, making himself a versatile player for both club and country.

This ability for City’s players to adapt makes them an unpredictable opponent, but Guardiola often chooses to keep changes to a minimum as silverware comes into view.

However, this strategy may prove ineffective, City’s players seem more fragile and injuries becoming all too common. Spanish midfielder Rodri is only just managing to cope with a full match after being rushed back early from an ACL injury.

As City continue to progress in the latter stages of the season, each game will come with higher tension and added emotion from the fans which will no doubt translate on to the pitch.

This could be a serious threat to City’s title bid being derailed, but with matches coming thick and fast, it could benefit Guardiola and his players, giving little time to reflect before preparing for the next task at hand.

Guardiola knows what he’s doing urging his players to enjoy some much needed rest this week, because come kick off at Elland Road on Saturday night, there will be no life to enjoy until the season ends in May.

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