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Pep Guardiola needs Man City reaction from telling Watford selection - Simon Bajkowski

Share By Simon Bajkowski 06:00, 21 JUL 2020 Sport opinion City Team selection Pep Guardiola has been tinkering away since the restart making changes galore to his team, as he has done all season. Eight changes to starting linesup in his final two games will set a new Premier League record of 145 for the most in a single campaign.

But at the same time, the Manchester City side put out at Wembley was more or less their strongest XI; you wouldn't want to make too many changes from that for the Real Madrid game. There is now no need to rotate with an FA Cup final in mind, so these two Premier League games become squarely about preparing for the Champions League.

Does Guardiola stick with the bulk of the players he had faith in for Wembley, now there are fewer competitions to rotate for? Or does he bench many of the individuals that he accused of not turning up in the first half against Arsenal, leading to such a disappointing performance?

With just two competitive matches before the spotlight of the Champions League, City's manager must pick the most important between fitness and form.

The reaction of serial winners City's manager wasn't keen to buy into the narrative that Mikel Arteta with his knowledge of the Blues had helped Arsenal to exploit weaknesses. It wasn't about tactics, said Guardiola after Saturday's game.

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The coach has always praised the way his players have reacted to defeats. After two poor performances in a row, which will bounce back and show their champion mentality and which won't be given the chance?

Having been pleased with the focus his team showed up until they secured second place, Guardiola will know Watford will bring the same fight that Bournemouth and Arsenal have so it is imperative that his players are all more switched on than they have been in the last week.

City can set new best for season Having thrashed Newcastle and Brighton and then edged past Bournemouth, City find themselves with three successive league wins. A fourth against Watford would make it their best run of form in their 38-game campaign.

Especially considering they racked up 18 straight victories in the 2017/18 season and 14 last year, that they have a best of three to date shows up the inconsistency that have cost the team their title.

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Last trip for some time City have clocked up a fair number of miles since the restart, with away games at Chelsea, Newcastle, Southampton, Brighton, London and now Watford.

After this game, though, there is a home game with Norwich at the weekend to round off the Premier League campaign before a home game with Real Madrid to prepare for in August.

Should they make it to the Champions League quarter-finals they will be required to go to Portugal but after Tuesday the players know they will get at least a few weeks before they are required to uproot again.