“We want it!” – Pep Guardiola issues battle cry over Manchester City’s fixture schedule | OneFootball

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has issued a battle cry over his side’s upcoming busy schedule across competitions, despite defeat after the international break.

City’s trip to St James’ Park ended in frustration as Newcastle edged a chaotic contest, but Guardiola made clear afterwards that the demanding run of fixtures awaiting his squad is not something they fear, but something they embrace.

The Catalan has long insisted City’s success is rooted not only in their quality but in their ability to navigate constant high-stakes matches, often with minimal rest. Even while reflecting on missed chances and key decisions that went against them in the North-East, his tone remained bullish regarding the challenges ahead.

Newcastle twice took the lead through Harvey Barnes, while City were left aggrieved by a major penalty appeal and several squandered opportunities. Gianluigi Donnarumma made multiple crucial interventions to keep City within reach, but ultimately City could not find a second equaliser as Eddie Howe secured his first Premier League win over Guardiola.

Against that backdrop, the City boss was keen to underline a congested match calendar has never hindered his squad. If anything, he sees it as the environment in which they are most dangerous. While rivals may point to fatigue, Guardiola has repeatedly used relentless schedules as fuel.

Speaking to reporters after Manchester City’s slender defeat to Newcastle at St James’ Park, Pep Guardiola insisted that the upcoming busy schedule across multiple competitions is of no problem to his side.

“We’re used to it – we’ve won quadruples and trebles playing that way. We want it,” insisted the Manchester City head coach.

He continued, “The trebles and quadruples [came from] playing on Saturday and Tuesday, then Tuesday and Friday and Friday and Sunday. We are used to it. It’s not a problem.”

Looking back on the clash in the North-East, Guardiola said of his side’s showing, “The team was good and we know the way [Newcastle] play with intense play and you have to handle it. They had the momentum and it happens like that.

“Second half we adjusted a little bit and the midfield players were closer. They were more in the positions where we need to do it. This type of game is so, so physical. You win the ball, you lose the ball, you win the ball, you lose the ball.

“Bruno Guimaraes made a good action, showing his quality and they scored a goal. After that they have the momentum in a corner and it happened and we could not get a goal. Then they had 11 players in the box and always it’s difficult.”

Pep Guardiola’s message now places the focus firmly on how his squad responds. With Champions League fixtures, domestic cup action, and a Premier League race that shows signs of being tighter than previous seasons, the coming weeks will provide an immediate test of City’s resilience.

City have historically used winter to build undefeated runs that shape the title race, and Guardiola believes similar form is achievable once rhythm and freshness align. His comments suggest confidence that this team, even with changes in personnel, can still produce the sustained intensity required.

If City can convert performances into results quickly, the defeat at Newcastle may prove only a small setback in a season still packed with opportunity. Pep Guardiola clearly trusts his side to find their stride, and the fixture chaos he welcomes may be exactly what ignites it.