Pep Guardiola has firmly rejected claims that his Manchester City squad is suffering from fatigue as they push for a historic domestic treble, insisting there's nothing wrong with his players beyond the natural demands of a packed end-of-season schedule.

"No, it's not tiredness. It's just the last games of the season," Guardiola said in a press conference ahead of Wednesday's must-win Premier League clash with Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium. "It's one week and a few days. A lot of games in this time, and next one is Crystal Palace."

The distinction is subtle but significant. Tiredness suggests a drop-off in performance levels, but Guardiola is simply acknowledging the reality of a congested fixture list that every title contender must navigate. With the Carabao Cup already secured and an FA Cup final against Chelsea looming this weekend, City are chasing silverware on three fronts in the season's final fortnight.

Wednesday night's match carries enormous weight in the Premier League title race. A win over Crystal Palace would cut Arsenal's lead at the top to just two points, keeping City firmly in the hunt with games running out. The Blues have been relentless since March, and Guardiola sees no reason for that to change now.

When pressed about the challenges of facing teams with rotated or weakened squads at this stage, Guardiola's response was characteristically sharp: "Leave the managers." The comment reflects the ongoing frustration among top-flight bosses over scheduling and fixture management as the season reaches its boiling point.

For City, every match is now a final. The players may be feeling the strain of a long campaign, but as Guardiola makes clear, that's just part of the territory when you're chasing greatness. The real test isn't about being tired—it's about finishing the job.