Pep Guardiola insists he’s having ‘the toughest season in YEARS’ at Man City – as his side attempt to repeat last season’s Treble heroics

Pep Guardiola claims to have suffered the toughest season in years but insists that Manchester City have the experience to continue fighting on three fronts.

City, embroiled in their first three-way title race under Guardiola, will not have a free midweek should they progress against Real Madrid to make a fourth consecutive Champions League semi-final.

The intensity of tussling with both Arsenal and Liverpool, coupled with a Treble hangover and a raft of injuries – including Kevin De Bruyne missing the first five months – have seen City only just begin to show their teeth.

Rodri revealed that he needs a rest ahead of Luton’s trip to the Etihad Stadium but Guardiola believes the Spaniard will make himself available – and is confident his squad can contend with the schedule.

‘We know what we are playing for,’ Guardiola said. ‘They know how tough it has been this season for many reasons, maybe one of the toughest seasons we have faced for sure.

But the Spaniard insisted his team are capable of keeping up with their packed schedule

‘We know exactly internally how difficult it has been in many, many moments this season and we were still there, we were there. I know the players will be ready.

‘We know what we have to do. We’ve done it. The people say, “you done it, so you’re going to win”. No, it’s not about that. But we have done it and know exactly what we have to do.

‘I’m pretty sure Rodri will be ready for tomorrow. I know him because after the Madrid game he was tired because it was tough. He came from Crystal Palace and it was really tough as well, but I know him. He will arrive and say: “I’m fine, I’m ready”.

‘It’s not just Rodri. I’d love to rest central defenders but we don’t have them. We are in big, big trouble. So they cannot rest.’ Guardiola revealed that his training sessions have now reverted to just fine tuning tactical ideas as City attempt to recuperate between matches.

The Catalan added: ‘Switch off, I don’t bother them much. Don’t train, don’t train, massage, water, hot water, cold water. Good food and good rest. Some videos and rest, rest, and rest. Otherwise (more) people will get injured.

‘Training is just concepts. The way we have to defend, the way we have to attack, five or 10 minutes. A lot of smiles. Good conversations in the massage room.’ 

Erling Haaland is still smiling despite a deluge of criticism after scoring one goal in his last five appearances, with Jamie Carragher calling the striker an ‘ultimate luxury footballer’.

Guardiola again defended the 23-year-old as he utilised him as a decoy – occupying both Antonio Rudiger and Aurelien Tchouameni during Tuesday’s 3-3 draw in the Bernabeu. Guardiola maintains that Haaland’s role allowed Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol to score their stunners after half-time.

Guardiola added that Rodri will be ready when strugglers Luton visit the Etihad on Saturday

‘That is the point,’ he said. ‘That is the point. He helps us to make more spaces in the areas and his contribution has been exceptional since the first day he arrived.

‘They (pundits) can do whatever they want. If I give an opinion it looks like I want to criticise the pundits. I don’t criticise the pundits. They do their job I do my job. We don’t have to agree.

‘We are quite similar to last season, we scored four, four and three goals in the last three games. And he helped us score some of them (by) creating lots of spaces for the other ones to score the goals. I saw the face in what he said after the game in the locker room. He was extremely happy.’