‘Big clubs are defined by what they do in difficult situations’: Pep Guardiola

Man City skipper Bernardo Silva during their recent 3-0 win over Crystal Palace. Pic/Getty Images

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola put a positive spin on their lack of rest days heading into the FA Cup final against Chelsea on Saturday.

The Sky Blues will play the summit clash just two days after a 3-0 league win over Crystal Palace, whereas Chelsea's last fixture was a 1-1 draw against Liverpool last Saturday.

Pep Guardiola

"I'd prefer seven days [of rest between games] like Chelsea. It's not ideal, but we've done it in the past and we have to do it tomorrow because the big clubs are defined by what you do in difficult circumstances," said Guardiola, who expects Chelsea to disrupt them with their aggressive playing style and physicality.

Meanwhile, for Chelsea, a win on Saturday may sweeten the blow of a dispiriting English Premier League campaign - they are ninth with two games to go.

"City are an exceptional side, so it's going to be a challenge. But we also have really good players, who have shown that if they're at their best, they can beat anyone," said Blues interim boss Calum McFarlane.

Ten
No. of wins for Man City in their last 13 games vs Chelsea across all competitions; other three matches ended in a draw

Four
No. of consecutive FA Cup final appearances for Man City; the only team to do so

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