Pep Guardiola says now is the time to reflect on what Manchester City have achieved in recent months as they go into the international break still fighting on four fronts.
City left it late to beat Everton in their FA Cup quarter final, to complete a week that saw them set up a Champions League quarter final with Borussia Dortmund and continue their uncontested march towards another Premier League title. When they return from international duty, they will have a Carabao Cup final vs Tottenham to contest at the end of April.
Guardiola has repeatedly refused to entertain talk of anything that isn't the next game, saying that is the best way to keep focus when the possibility of the quadruple is still alive.
However, with a fortnight without a game, Guardiola says he will finally afford himself some time to reflect on the last four months since the last international break, where City have set club records, Premier League records and all-time English football records with their near-unstoppable form.
"Honestly, it's an incredible achievement to arrive at this stage, especially in the Premier League, in the position we are," he said, via City's YouTube channel.
"In this four month period we play every three days no rest and we could not enjoy it. Every three days another one. Now it's time to say okay, take a break, celebrate what we have done these four months since the last international break.
"We play 39 games, won 34. It's incredible what we have done, lost two, draw three, one in Porto when we already qualified in the Champions League. Every game we compete, and that's why it's time to celebrate.
"After that is Leicester. We lost 2-5 home, we know it will be real tough. One at a time and we see what we deserve to do."
One concern of Guardiola's was the risk of his international players picking up Covid-19 when they leave City's bubble to return to their countries.
Speaking to BT Sport, he said: "I'm a little bit [worried], hopefully the people go to the bubbles and control, for the health of the players. Looking forward to everybody coming back safe."
That was echoed by midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, who said: "I think the next target is to come back healthy in the best possible shape from the international break. Everyone is traveling so it won't be easy. Then having the big game of Leicester."
