Pep Guardiola insisted that Manchester City can handle the title pressure but admitted that fatigue may see him ring the changes in the FA Cup.
City face Southampton in Saturday’s semi-final, with a domestic Treble still on the line after going top of the Premier League by beating Burnley.
Guardiola claimed that Sunday’s victory over Arsenal took plenty out of his players and he had pondered making several alterations to the line up at Turf Moor.
‘It’s a big opportunity to play four finals in a row,’ Guardiola said. ‘Maybe we have to make some changes. At the end we were a little bit tired but we are ready.
‘I’m pretty sure that this [run-in], for the future, for all of them, will be good. As much you experience, as much as you’ve been there many times, you handle it better.
‘Winning is the main target. Considering the last three days and the emotion and physicality in the game we played, we make an extraordinary game.
Pep Guardiola admitted he may ring the changes for their FA Cup semi-final after suggesting fatigue had impacted his team during their 1-0 victory over Burnley
Erling Haaland scored the only goal as Man City went top of the Premier League on goal difference, moving above Arsenal
‘We have to win at any cost, yeah, but we have to do something [to deserve it]. Run and jump and pass and shoot. Even today we didn’t think about the consequences and what will happen if we are top of the league or not. Just know what you have to do to beat Burnley.’
Guardiola added: ‘Now we have to think about it a lot because I had a lot of doubts about the line up today because of the fatigue on Sunday. Now it will be three in a row in three days, go to London.’
Burnley’s relegation to the Championship was confirmed with defeat and manager Scott Parker would not be drawn on his future.
Parker – who has won only two home league games this term – believes the Clarets were facing an uphill battle before a ball had been kicked.
‘I’m immensely proud of the team,’ he said. ‘The performance tonight was everything this group represents. You see a group that was foot to the floor and left everything out there.
‘The challenge was humungous and we’ve not been able to overachieve. We didn’t take our moments but this team has been through a hell of a lot. There has been a lot of disappointment and adversity.
‘We’ve fallen short on quality. I’m never going to criticise this team for a lack of quality, they are a group of men who give everything. I’m sad and upset, disappointed with the season of course.’
