Pep Guardiola says he is praying for his players to avoid injury during the international break.
With only a few senior players not travelling during the next fortnight, the Blues’ boss knows how vital it is that there are no fresh injuries going into what is an incredibly demanding run in for City.
With key Premier League games, two Champions League quarter-final legs and a FA Cup semi-final, it could arguably be the most important month in the Club’s history as the Blues chase unprecedented glory.
“I pray – pray that they come back fit,” said Pep.
“They have to go to their national teams; they have to go, enjoy and play for their country, but I hope they can come back fit like they are now.
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“Maybe they will go away, score three goals and return with the same rhythm – who knows? I just want them fit and here.
“Sergio, David Silva, Aymeric Laporte and a few others will have a week’s rest. They will have a training programme to do a little bit each day and then a week of normal training ahead of the Fulham game.”
With April a month of destiny on three fronts, City are likely to face a fixture glut of as many as eight games.
The Blues’ boss admits having as many fit players as possible is critical to his squad’s chances.
“With the fixtures we have in April we need everybody – it’s crazy,” he said.
“Everybody is going to play and Kevin, Ferna, John, Benjamin… they are all going to be back soon, and we need them.
“Even if some play 10 or 15 minutes here and there, we need everybody because we have got to this stage where we are still in with a chance of winning three more trophies because of everybody – not just 11 players, but everyone.
“Everybody has contributed, and it has been massive.
“We are demanding more and more, and we have to train hard and then play well as possible again and again and again.
“Believe me, to get to the international break and go into April with only a month and a half to go and still be there is incredible, and it is an honour for me.
“To have this spirit, desire, this intensity and overcome difficult situations – I told the players that this is going to happen quite often between now and the end of the season where the mentality will be the difference.