I won't take any risks against Spurs, says Guardiola | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has stated he won’t risk any players he has doubts over in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie with Tottenham Hotspur.

City beat Southampton 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon and now face four away games in a row across three competitions.

That runs begins with the fourth round trip to north London this midweek and with such a gruelling schedule, Guardiola insists he will prioritise the Premier League and Champions League matches that follow our next assignment.

City 1-0 Southampton | Match report

“We talked about that, we have to take care of ourselves; go to sleep, drinks, good food, sleep a lot, training, recovery,” he said in Saturday’s post-match press conference.

“I would love to have everyone, it’s not the position we’re in, we are few people and we’re going to do what we have to do.

“I’m going to think about Spurs, maybe some players from the Academy. We will see tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, we have four days not three.

“Of course we will go there to compete but the main target is Bournemouth, Sporting and Brighton before the international break, this is the focus.

WATCH: Pep Guardiola post-match presser | Part Two | City 1-0 Southampton | Premier League

“We will take a decision and if the players are fine we will play them against Spurs but if there are any doubts I’m not going to take a risk against Spurs, that’s for sure.”

Guardiola was speaking after seeing his side edge out the Premier League’s bottom side thanks to an early Erling Haaland goal.

City had 22 shots in total but couldn’t put the game to bed and instead required a solid defensive performance to keep Russell Martin’s newly promoted side at bay.

The boss believes his team did enough to win the game but reflected that how tight it was demonstrates just how difficult it is to compete for silverware across multiple fronts.

“When I finish the game of course the result is the first thing, but I think: Have we done more than the opponent to win the game?” he began.

“We create more chances and conceded fewer? Okay, well deserved.

“Always I think about what we have done to deserve the win. Sometimes you win when you didn’t deserve it, like Fulham for example in certain moments, especially the second half.

WATCH: City 1-0 Southampton: Extended highlights

“I like to see the team most of the time deserve the win more than the opponents and this is the main target from my point of view.

“I'm not surprised when you play Premier League, Champions League, Premier League and Southampton had all week to prepare for that game.

“If you don’t get a second or third, it's always difficult but we accept the challenge. It couldn’t be any different.

“Look at Wolves, how good they can play, and look now at Southampton they are bottom of the league.

“These teams that are bottom of the league, what did you do with the other ones? That is my feeling.”