When Pep Guardiola stepped up to the podium after Manchester City’s dramatic victory over Southampton in the FA Cup semi‑final at Wembley, his opening remark was a wry observation: “Not many journalists here, right? The game looks like it isn’t important.” The comment underscored a feeling that the significance of City’s achievement was being down‑played, even though the club was on the brink of becoming the first side to reach the final of football’s oldest competition for a fourth straight season. In a typical season, such a historic run would dominate the headlines. Instead, the focus was split with City’s Premier League rivals Arsenal, who had just edged Newcastle United 1‑0 to reclaim the top spot.
For Guardiola – the only manager in English football history to have secured a domestic treble – the relative quiet around his team’s progress may have been a source of irritation. Yet he cautioned against premature celebrations, insisting that any talk of a repeat treble was "far, far away" at that point.
City’s semi‑final was far from a walk‑over. Southampton struck first with a thunderous 79th‑minute strike from Finn Azaz that seemed to set the stage for a heart‑breaking exit. However, the champions responded with the composure and quality expected of a title‑winning side. Jeremy Doku and Nico González combined for two swift goals that turned the tide, sending City through to a May 16 final that will pit them against either Chelsea or Leeds United, depending on the outcome of the other semi‑final.
When asked about the prospect of another domestic treble, Guardiola replied: "Before the Aston Villa game – the final league fixture – I will let you know if there is a chance. Right now it’s still a long way off. It’s vital that the players have three days to rest.
I told them not to think about football, to recover, and then we start a stretch of five games plus the FA Cup final." His emphasis on rest highlighted a strategic element that could prove decisive in the closing weeks of the season. City currently sit three points behind Arsenal, having played one fewer match. If they can navigate the next six fixtures – a condensed run of Premier League and cup games spread across just 21 days – they could add the league title and the FA Cup to the Carabao Cup they already hold, completing a potential domestic quadruple.
The schedule is brutal. City’s next match is an away trip to Everton on Monday, May 4, followed by a home clash with Brentford on Saturday, May 9, then a trip to Bournemouth on Sunday, May 17. After a brief interlude, they host Crystal Palace (date to be confirmed) and finish the league campaign at home to Aston Villa on May 24.
Interspersed with these fixtures are the FA Cup semi‑final and, if they progress, the final on May 16. Guardiola summed up the pressure succinctly: "Six games – if we win, we’re there. If we lose, it’s over." He also reflected on the club’s identity, noting that while trophies such as the Champions League often dominate conversation, City’s legacy is equally defined by their five Carabao Cup triumphs and the unprecedented run of four consecutive FA Cup finals. "You can have a bad afternoon, injuries, a dip in form – but in this competition, the minor one compared with the league and Europe, we have always been there.
We are in the final again," he said. The recent league win at Burnley was far from convincing, and some observers questioned whether City’s form was slipping at the most crucial juncture. Guardiola’s answer was to rotate heavily, making eight changes and keeping several key players – Erling Haaland, Marc Guehi, Bernardo Silva, Jeremy Doku and Nico González – on the bench. This cautious approach helped avoid any injury scares but also contributed to a sluggish first half against a Southampton side that had been on a 20‑match unbeaten run and had dispatched Arsenal and Fulham to reach the semi‑finals.
Southampton’s early dominance was evident when Azaz’s long‑range effort broke the deadlock. Guardiola admitted that football’s unpredictability was on full display: "Football is unpredictable," he remarked.
Yet the City response was textbook. Their comeback, while perhaps expected given the quality gap, demonstrated the mental resilience that Arsenal are desperate to emulate.
The ability to stare down defeat, summon an extra gear and deliver when the stakes are highest is a hallmark of champions, and it will be tested repeatedly over the next six matches. Rest could become a decisive factor in the title race. Arsenal, meanwhile, have a lighter schedule in the immediate future.
They travel to Madrid for the Champions League semi‑final against Atletico on Wednesday, then return to face Fulham in the league on Saturday – giving City a full three days of recovery before they resume training. By the time Arsenal return to league action, City will have already been back on the training ground for a day, potentially giving them a freshness edge.
Guardiola has spoken openly about the importance of those three days off. "It has been a tough week, a lot of emotions," he said.
"I have learned in this country that a day off can make you play better. People say the more you train, the better you play, but it is the opposite.
In the beginning I trained a lot, but now it’s about quality time. I need everybody ready." His comments reflect a growing understanding among elite coaches that recovery, not relentless training, often yields the best performances in the season’s final stretch. Statistically, City are still outsiders for the Premier League crown. Opta’s predictive model gives Arsenal a 72.44% probability of finishing as champions after their win over Newcastle.
However, football is rarely decided by numbers alone. The combination of a packed fixture list, the psychological boost of an FA Cup final appearance, and the strategic use of rest could swing the momentum in City’s favour.
Below is a concise overview of City’s remaining fixtures: - Burnley (Away) – Wednesday, April 22 – live on Sky Sports - Everton (Away) – Monday, May 4 – live on Sky Sports - Brentford (Home) – Saturday, May 9 – live on Sky Sports - Bournemouth (Away) – Sunday, May 17 - Crystal Palace (Home) – date to be confirmed - Aston Villa (Home) – Sunday, May 24 In addition, the club’s FA Cup commitments include the semi‑final against Southampton on Saturday and, should they prevail, the final on May 16 against either Chelsea or Leeds United. The next few weeks will test City’s depth, stamina and mental fortitude. If Guardiola can manage the squad’s rotation effectively, keep the key players fresh, and maintain the winning mentality that has carried them this far, the possibility of adding the league title and FA Cup to their Carabao Cup trophy – and perhaps even edging ahead of Arsenal in the title race – remains very much alive.