Pep Guardiola keeps faith with Manchester City players for decisive two months

Guardiola’s team are in contention for a treble

Pep Guardiola is confident his Manchester City players can deliver under pressure (Mike Egerton/PA) (PA Wire)

Pep Guardiola insists he will not change anything as Manchester City head into the decisive final two months of the season.

Guardiola’s team are in contention for a treble but, with Liverpool pushing them close in the Premier League and the other two competitions being knock-outs, there is little margin for error.

City were held to a frustrating goalless draw at Crystal Palace on Monday, allowing Liverpool to turn up the pressure and move to within a point at the top.

The manager trusts a lot with these players to try to win every competition.

Pep Guardiola

But Guardiola is backing the players that put them in such a strong position in the first place, whether it ultimately proves successful or not.

The City boss said: “The manager trusts a lot with these players to try to win every competition, to try to be who we are, like we were at Southampton and Crystal Palace, even though we dropped points.

“We will try to do it and I want to do it with these guys. I would not change one single player to do things in these next two months – ahead of us – differently. We are going to try. Success? I don’t know.”

City needed an Aymeric Laporte equaliser to claim a draw at Southampton in January (Andrew Matthews/PA) (PA Wire)

City, who drew 1-1 at Southampton in January, are back at St Mary’s for their FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday.

Guardiola is expecting another tricky encounter but wants his players to stick to the philosophy that has served them so well in recent years.

He said: “No, nothing different – we have to do what we’ve done so far, get to the 18-yard box and score a goal. I would love that.

“It’s just the details. Southampton, with their shape and how they move differently to Crystal Palace, we will have to adapt but, as I said before, in the last two months they know every game is a final now.

“Be yourself, every player be yourself.”

Defender Ruben Dias is City’s only major absentee as he works his way back to fitness from a thigh injury.