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Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola anticipates a “fantastic day” against in-form Southampton in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday but says he has “many, many thoughts still in my mind” about his team selection.
Guardiola’s side beat then-leaders Arsenal at home last Sunday and went top of the Premier League by winning 1-0 at Burnley on Tuesday, but their schedule will ease with a nine-day break between the game at Wembley Stadium and their league trip to Everton on May 4 (20:00 BST).
“The game against Arsenal was so demanding emotionally,” Guardiola said of the contest with City’s only title rivals.
“People were so, so tired. The question is who will be ready for playing 95 minutes or maybe extra time with a lot of players who have a lot of minutes in their legs.
“I have a lot to discuss with my staff. [Southampton] being able to knock out Arsenal and Fulham speaks for itself. It’s a great opportunity [for us] to get to the final.”
Southampton beat the Gunners 2-1 in the quarter-finals as part of their current 20-match unbeaten run in all competitions and are fourth in the Championship after a 2-2 draw at home to midtable Bristol City on Tuesday.
Head coach Tonda Eckert took over a team immediately above the relegation zone at the start of November but his side retain a chance of winning automatic promotion to the Premier League with two games of their league season remaining, as well as being assured of a play-off place.
“If you see where City score their goals, most of them are within the width of the six-yard box and most of them are inside the 18-yard box,” observed Eckert, via Southampton’s website.
“So there might be some moments where you just need to defend inside your box and be very clear on how to do that.
“On the other hand, there are more than enough chances – we’re definitely going to have a couple of transition moments and we need to be crucial on the ones they give to us, because it’s not going to be too many.
“At the same time, you can’t rely only on defending in these games, so we need to be brave enough and find another gear and the energy so that, when we do have the ball, we have spells in possession.
“We found quite a good combination of both of these aspects against Arsenal, and they will be the key again.”
Manchester City v Southampton team news
Midfielder Rodri (groin) will miss a second successive match for City, who remain without defenders Ruben Dias (hamstring) and Josko Gvardiol (broken leg).
James Trafford is likely to continue his run of FA Cup starts in goal, with first-choice Gianluigi Donnarumma on the bench.
Captain Jack Stephens is a doubt for Southampton after pulling out of the game against the Robins during the warm-up.
Defensive midfielder Flynn Downes and left-back or midfielder Ryan Manning are suspended, with Eckert acknowledging that Southampton may need to adjust their press and build-up play as a consequence.
“I’m sure we’ll find a way,” said the 33-year-old German, who is in his first head coach role. “I’m sure we’ll have a solution.”
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