Guardiola says ‘no excuses’ as bruised Man City brace for moment of truth

Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, informed his players that there will be “no excuses” if his battered team fails to win the title for the third time.

On Saturday, City will face Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley, just three days after their tumultuous Champions League match against Atletico Madrid.

The game is the fourth in a 12-day span in which City has already played the first leg of their quarter-final tie against Atletico Madrid and a thrilling 2-2 Premier League draw with Liverpool.

“I said to the players, I don’t want any excuses,” Guardiola said Friday.

“Semi-finals of the FA Cup are always hard against this side, even with the top players fit and rested.

“I’ve learned as a manager when you arrive in the latter stages in all competitions you adapt to the schedule. If you want to complain (for a safety) net, you make a mistake. It is what it is.”

He added: “We have fought every season like this and we go through, and we are going to perform well.”

Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker are both questionable for Saturday’s match.

Both players were substituted after suffering injuries in Wednesday’s tense Champions League match in Madrid.

Even though the game ended in a 0-0 draw, City advanced to the semi-finals on the basis of a 1-0 aggregate victory.

Both players were unable to participate since City had a training session at Millwall’s ground on Friday after arriving in London directly from Spain.

De Bruyne required stitches in a foot cut, while Walker sustained a twisted ankle, according to Guardiola.

“They didn’t train today. We’ll see tomorrow but apparently, it’d be so close after what happened on Wednesday,” said Guardiola.

The tense match against Atletico concluded with several players injured from both teams, and further scuffles ensued in the tunnel.

Guardiola was adamant about not commenting right after the game, and he was still adamant two days later.

“It’s the past,” he said. “I’m not talking about it. We have an important game tomorrow.”

Ruben Dias, who had been sidelined since the beginning of March with a thigh injury, was one of the players who was allowed to exercise on Friday. He was an unused substitute in midweek.

Guardiola said: “He did train today. It was his third session with us.”

With seven games remaining in the Premier League, the reigning champions are only one point ahead of their title rivals after a 2-2 draw with Liverpool last weekend.

Liverpool also advanced to the Champions League semi-finals this week, defeating Benfica 6-4 on aggregate.

Liverpool’s drive for an unprecedented quadruple will be ended in the semi-final at Wembley, while City’s ambitions of becoming only the second English team to win the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup will be dashed.

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