Guardiola Shifts Focus Away from EFL Cup

Pep Guardiola has announced that Manchester City will not prioritize the EFL Cup in the upcoming rounds, indicating he plans to field a second team due to the congested fixture schedule. Following a 2-1 victory over Watford, Guardiola expressed his concerns about player fatigue, particularly after a demanding match against Arsenal just 50 hours prior. He emphasized that while the competition holds value for squad rotation, the team cannot afford to risk injuries with more critical Premier League and Champions League commitments on the horizon. Guardiola noted that this shift in strategy reflects the increased number of European matches this season, which necessitates a reevaluation of their approach to domestic cups. Despite his success in the tournament, having won it four times, he stated that the current schedule is unsustainable and requires careful management. The next round of the EFL Cup is set for late October, with City planning to use this opportunity to give younger players experience.