It’s been a hectic period for City, with eight games over the past month, including six of those matches – across Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup – away from home.
It’s been a productive spell, though, with five wins, two draws and just one defeat.
Guardiola is more than aware of the physical and mental toll that it will have taken on his players as he handed them a couple of days off following the latest game, a 2-0 win over the Magpies.
And the boss wants them to switch off completely before turning attention to Crystal Palace away this coming Saturday, kick-off 17:30 (UK time).
He said: “It’s good now not to think much, two days off for everyone, we need it because it’s been a tough February month for us.
“Not for the amount of games, which we are used to, but especially the away, travels, away, travels.
“Now it’s two days off. I like in these two days that people forget football if they can.
CITY 2-0 NEWCASTLE | MATCH REPORT
“Enjoy time with their friends and family or whatever.
“Then Tuesday to Saturday, we have enough time to reset ourselves and do it again.”
When his players return to training, they’ll be fully focused on the Saturday trip to Selhurst Park, before a Round of 16 deciding tie with Leipzig on Tuesday followed by an FA Cup quarter-final home clash with Vincent Kompany’s high-flying Burnley the following Saturday.
The manager reiterated the importance of this trio of games for the wellbeing of our season.
He added: “We prepare good for the game against Crystal Palace, always was really difficult for us and, of course, Leipzig, I have the same opinion that I had when we played them and after Burnley with Vinnie will come back here before the international break.
“If we are able to win the games, we are still alive in three competitions and that last part we will be there.
CITY 2-0 NEWCASTLE | MATCH GALLERY
“If we lose, we will be out. Simple as that.
“Arrive in a stage when you are there that you know exactly when you lose games you lose competitions. Now is the moment that is going to happen.”
