Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has opened up about the club's current schedule and how he plans to use it to their advantage.
Manchester City have had a difficult season, from Premier League downfall to an early exit from the UEFA Champions League, City have been struggling to remain at their best.
The main focus is now on FA Cup glory, after they booked their place in the competition's quarter-finals thanks to a 3-1 victory over Plymouth Argyle on the weekend and also, securing top four in the Premier League, which would qualify them for next season's Champions League.
The battle for the top four is a rather close one, as only six points separate third from 10th place. Currently, Manchester City have 47 points on fourth place, with Nottingham Forest just one ahead. Behind the Cityzens there are Chelsea, Newcastle United, Bournemouth, Brighton, Fulham and Aston Villa all fighting for the same goal.
In the FA Cup, Man City will meet Bournemouth in the next round. The two have only played each other once this season, which ended in favour of the Cherries. If City get themselves the win, they'll head over into the semi-finals and really hope to have a chance at claiming the trophy.
Due to their participation in only two competitions, Manchester City have a lighter schedule than seasons prior; which is something Pep Guardiola has spoken about using to the club's advantage for a helpful end to the season.
Pep Guardiola discusses City's schedule
"It's quite new for us. In these years it never happened, that means we are not doing well."
"We are going to take time off to refresh. It's about quality, not quantity. We are going to do training for a really important game against Forest."
"We will refresh things and practice things. Lift the rhythm. Normally when you play every three days you cannot do that."