Pep Guardiola has acknowledged the challenges posed by a demanding schedule for his Manchester City squad, which he likened to the intense calendar of the NBA. With injuries affecting his team, Guardiola stated that he has no choice but to "just handle it" as they navigate through a packed fixture list. City recently suffered their first defeat of the Premier League season against Bournemouth, following an exit from the Carabao Cup at the hands of Tottenham. Guardiola attributed the team's recent struggles to the "reality we are living now," as the season is set to continue until the controversial Club World Cup, scheduled for June and July 2025 in the United States. This means that matches will keep coming at a relentless pace. Looking ahead, City is set to face Sporting in the Champions League, with Rúben Amorim, the incoming Manchester United manager, taking charge of the opposition. Guardiola praised his players for their resilience despite the challenges they are facing.

Erling Haaland's goal secured a narrow victory for Manchester City against Southampton, reinforcing their position at the top of the Premier League. Pep Guardiola's side continues to apply pressure on rivals Liverpool and Arsenal, who must match City's intensity to stay in contention. With this win, City now sits at 23 points, leading Liverpool by two and Arsenal by a significant six points, putting pressure on Mikel Arteta's team to avoid defeat in their upcoming match. Despite the victory, City appeared somewhat lackluster, with Guardiola emphasizing the importance of patience in their play. Haaland had several opportunities to extend his tally, potentially scoring a hat-trick, but ultimately settled for just one goal. The manager faced challenges with limited options on the bench due to injuries, with only Ilkay Gündogan available as a senior attacking substitute.