Pep Guardiola has called on Manchester City to keep the Premier League title race in their own hands ahead of this weekend’s trip to face Everton.
City are top of the Premier League table and closing in on a fifth title in six seasons, but are under pressure from Arsenal who are just a point behind the leaders having played a game more.
Guardiola’s side are continuing to compete on three fronts in the club’s pursuit of a treble, with this weekend’s clash at Everton sandwiched between the two legs of their Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid.
City drew 1-1 in the first leg in the Spanish capital on Tuesday and Guardiola was asked on the challenges of adapting to different competitions.
“We play for all competitions. You have to switch, you have to adapt,” he told his pre-match press conference.
“There are four games left in the Premier League and it’s really important to be there and keep our destiny in our hands. We have today and tomorrow training. Prepare the game as much as possible. We have to adapt as quick as possible.
Guardiola was asked for his view on the Premier League’s scheduling of Sunday’s fixture, with Champions League opponents Real Madrid in domestic action on Saturday – providing an additional day’s rest before their return meeting on Wednesday night.
“I am pretty sure the Premier League wants to help the teams. They don’t want to make it uncomfortable. It’s the schedule.
“You have to adapt, so what can I do? We would have preferred to play on Saturday.
“We have one more day to recover for Everton, we’ll have a day less for Real Madrid but we have more days to recover for the Premier League.”
