Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made his intentions clear regarding the Carabao Cup, emphasizing the need to manage his squad carefully amidst a packed schedule. Ahead of the next round, Guardiola announced his plan to field a second-string team, focusing on maintaining his squad’s fitness for the more demanding Premier League and Champions League campaigns.
“The next round, I announce you, I play the second team. We are not going to waste energy, for sure,” Guardiola stated. His comments highlight a pragmatic approach, balancing the importance of cup competitions with the demands of the league and European fixtures.
Guardiola acknowledged the challenges posed by a relentless fixture list, emphasizing that managing the schedule is beyond the team’s control. “The schedule is the schedule, we cannot handle it anyway,” he remarked, pointing out that the Carabao Cup provides an ideal opportunity for less utilized players to gain valuable minutes. “For McAtee, Nunes, Grealish, Foden, who didn’t play, the young lad, 16 years old, it’s perfect.”
Despite his decision to rotate the squad, Guardiola was quick to reaffirm Manchester City’s commitment to the competition, which the club has won four times in a row under his leadership. “That’s why it’s a good competition, otherwise we wouldn’t win four in a row. We play to go through. We never throw a competition. Never.” His words reflect a deep respect for the tournament, while also recognizing the need to make tactical adjustments for the benefit of the team.
However, Guardiola made it clear that the health of his players and the club’s broader objectives take precedence. Referring to the congested schedule, he noted, “But we played 50 hours ago. I’m not going to take a risk with the Premier League and the Champions League in this competition.”
This strategic approach underscores Guardiola’s broader philosophy: every competition matters, but player welfare and long-term success in the Premier League and Champions League are the primary goals. For Guardiola, the Carabao Cup remains an opportunity to develop the squad’s depth while preserving key players for the most critical moments of the season.
