City play the 55th and 56th games of yet another gruelling campaign this week, knowing that two victories are all but essential to give us a chance of lifting an 11th top-flight title in our history.
We travel to Bournemouth on Tuesday before welcoming Europa League finalists Aston Villa to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Join us at next Monday’s After Party
And while Guardiola appreciates his players will be tired after going all the way in both domestic cup competitions, he expects his squad to push hard for the finish line.
“When you arrive at this stage and you play the 90, 95 minutes to extend the title race or win it, you are tired, yes,” he began.
“For example the last game, we played Crystal Palace, Brentford then after a six hour train and recovery.
“In December, maybe fatigue is much more but now, after the final we are tired yes but human beings have incredibly ability that when you are completely dead but here [mind] is in the right place you can give extra focus and extra run and you will do it.
“I am pretty sure the players will give everything whether they are tired or going to the World Cup or holidays, they will do it.
“Six days to the end of the season so they will do it even though the fatigue is there and we cannot deny it.”
While City are in the middle of an intense end to the season, Champions League chasing Bournemouth have had a week and a half to ready themselves for Tuesday night.
Andoni Iraola’s side are renowned for their high pressing and all-action play style, so Guardiola says that lengthy rest will have done them good.
“They attack quick and don’t let you breathe,” he said.
“Always, when they are so intense and the fatigue with so many games they can reduce a little bit this tempo but with 10 days to prepare that game, I can expect an intense, aggressive and demanding team.
“We have to be smart to read what we have to do.”
It was also be Iraola’s final home game as Bournemouth boss, having confirmed he will leave the Cherries this summer.
In three years on the south coast, the 43-year-old has received plenty of plaudits for his work and Guardiola expects a strong reception for him on Tuesday.
“I am pretty sure of the gratitude they will have,” said Guardiola, talking about Bournemouth’s supporters.
“He’s done an unbelievable job, taken Bournemouth another step and played with incredible courage everywhere, they’re fierce at Anfield and here and Emirates.
“In this stage of the season, there are last games for many people. Bernardo and John will be on Sunday.
“I’m pretty sure Andoni will get the appreciation for the job he has done.”
Be at the first public event in the new North Stand!
This landmark occasion forms part of the phased opening of the expansion, with a series of public and private test events designed to assess key operational elements of the facility.
Subject to the new areas successfully passing initial internal checks, the event on Wednesday 20 May, will operate at 50% of the additional seating capacity, allowing more than 3,500 fans to attend.
Should the test event be successful, the next phase will see us trial 100% capacity at the final Premier League home match of the season against Aston Villa. Hospitality areas, the fan zone and the wider Medlock Square development will open later in 2026.
