Pep Guardiola believes this season’s Carabao Cup has provided a different test for both himself and the team.

City go into Sunday’s Wembley showpiece hoping to secure a record-equalling fourth consecutive title in the competition when we take on Tottenham Hotspur.

The final would usually take place at the end of February, with Guardiola’s men using the final in recent seasons as a crucial springboard heading into the latter stages of the campaign.

However, it was announced at the end of 2020 that this season’s showpiece would be moved to April to give supporters the best possible chance to attend in line with COVID-19 restrictions.

And Guardiola admits that the prolonged tournament format has thrown up a new kind of obstacle as we fight for silverware on multiple fronts.

DOWNLOAD THE MAN CITY APP

“When we start a season, every game must be taken seriously. But the Premier League is most important competition, then the Champions League, then FA Cup and Carabao Cup,” he declared in his press conference ahead of Sunday’s final.

“At the start of the season it is perfect to rotate the team and get people involved.

“Once we are there, the Carabao Cup is normally over by February, now we play it during the important part, so it’s a contradiction.

“It’s a final and we want to win but we have the Champions League, PSG is there, and then Crystal Palace are there and then PSG is there.

“We will see what happens Sunday.”

Hear the boss in full, including the latest fitness update on Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero, by watching the video above…

SUBSCRIBE TO THE OFFICIAL MAN CITY PODCAST

We will have full coverage of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley right here on ManCity.com. 

Live text updates will get under way in our Matchday Centre at 14:30, before our We’re Not Really Here show starts at 15:25. Andy Morrison and Shaun Goater will join us in the studio, with Shaun Wright-Phillips reporting from Wembley. 

And CITY+ subscribers can watch a full 90-minute replay from midnight. 

CITY+ provides unrivalled access to new and exclusive City content, including full-match replays and CityTV documentaries and features and, after the free 30-day trial, the subscription costs just £1.99GBP / month.

Find out more and sign up here.