Pep Guardiola’s gives Rodri update in preview of Everton “final”

Manchester City have another “final” on the horizon as Pep Guardiola’s side prepare for a Monday night match from Hill Dickson Stadium. Each and every match is a must win for the Citizens, and the Spanish manager might be getting a big boost to his squad with an extra days rest.

Rodri recovering

City haven’t lost a league match since January’s Manchester derby, and in that won 8 of 11 matches to close in on Arsenal’s cushion at the top of the table. There are five matches and taking all 15 remaining points will be the least complicated path to the title. They could get a big boost this week with a potential return of one of their most important players. “He is getting better. He still didn’t train with us, so we will see in the next days,” said Guardiola of Rodri. When he was asked for his availability for Monday’s match, the Spaniard said, “I am always confident.”

City, who are currently three points behind Arsenal with a game in hand, have battled back to put themselves in position to make a miraculous comeback on the Gunners who have let their once nine point lead at the top of the table slip. Everton are in the middle of the table and are coming off of two consecutive losses in the league, but Guardiola knows this is a tricky match to start a very busy next couple weeks.

“Difficult opponents - they always have been,” said the former Barcelona boss. “They defend really well. David Moyes knows exactly what to do. The game we played at the Etihad was decided by two or three actions, but at that moment we weren’t good. We’re better now, and hopefully we can use what we are playing for to win, win, win.”

Busy sprint to the finish line

Monday’s match starts a run of four matches in a matter of 12 days, but Pep shrugged off speculation of the schedule perhaps favoring Arsenal. “It is what it is. Arsenal are in the Champions League semi-final, so it is what it is. When we won the treble, we had a similar calendar, but I learned a long time ago not to expect anything different. We have to adapt and take it game by game,” said Guardiola.

Arsenal will have the chance to put pressure on City this weekend if they can take all three points against Fulham at the Emirates on Saturday. Pep seemed unbothered by the potential of who plays first and who plays later. “It’s normal, it’s the calendar. Sometimes you play first, sometimes behind. It is what it is and nothing changes at this stage – you know exactly what you have to do.”

Before the presser ended, the press asked him about the fabulous Champions League semifinal first leg between Bayern Munich and PSG. Guardiola joked, ”The day before, I saw the calendar and saw PSG and Bayern Munich and thought, ‘bah, what a disaster game. Managers are not good - Luis [Enrique] and Vini [Vincent Kompany]. I’m in love with English football, and I decided to go to Stockport.”

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