Pep Guardiola has sent a rallying cry to his Manchester City squad, insisting that their grueling fixture schedule is a badge of honor—not a burden. "Because we did it, we can do it," the Catalan boss declared, drawing on the team's historic treble-winning campaign in 2023 as proof that success breeds more success.

City are in the thick of a domestic treble chase, with a midweek Premier League clash against Crystal Palace followed by the FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley this weekend. After that, they face Bournemouth and Aston Villa in their final league games—all within a fortnight. It's a relentless run, but Guardiola is having none of the complaints.

"Don't play the FA Cup final, and you won't have this schedule," he said with a wry smile after Saturday's 3-0 win over Brentford. "If you're in the final, you have this schedule. And I would love to have the schedule of the Champions League semi-finals in the middle of a title race—because that means we'd be there."

For Guardiola, the packed calendar is a direct result of sustained excellence. Since taking over in 2016, City have consistently played over 50 games a season. "When we won the treble or the quadruple, we were in that dynamic," he explained. "It's really nice. As long as you're fit and looking with energy, it's a privilege."

The City boss was quick to credit two players for providing that energy in the Brentford win: Omar Marmoush and Phil Foden. "Extraordinary," Guardiola called their performances, noting how their dynamism kept the team sharp in a match that could have been a trap. With the finish line in sight, Guardiola's message is clear: this is the price of greatness, and City are ready to pay it.