Pep Guardiola is hoping that the excitement of Manchester City's Premier League title challenge will help his squad deal with fatigue in the final few weeks of the campaign.
The Citizens have played seven games across three different competitions in the space of just 22 days in the month of April and are preparing for another quick turnaround following their midweek win over Brighton & Hove Albion.
Man City cruised to a 4-0 away victory against the Seagulls on Thursday night, with Phil Foden scoring twice in between Kevin De Bruyne's headed opener and a second-half strike from Julian Alvarez.
Guardiola's men have climbed above Liverpool into second place and sit just one point behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, who have played a game more and face North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Winning an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League title remains in sight for Man City, who are now preparing for Sunday's trip to the City Ground to face relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest.
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Guardiola addresses Man City fatigue
Guardiola believes that every team is 'tired' at this stage of the campaign, but he hopes that the excitement of fighting for another top-flight trophy can spur on his Man City squad in their final five league fixtures.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday night, Guardiola said: "Of course, all the teams are tired, it's normal at the end of the season. But in the same time, it's so exciting, you know, fighting again. For the Premier League, it's a dream come true.
"I could not expect it, honestly. I know always you dream to be there. But what happened in the past? I had this season maybe we would not be able to do it."
Although City have just two full days to prepare for Sunday's trip to Forest, Guardiola believes that his players have shown the desire to compete despite the physical demands they have faced amid their hectic fixture schedule.
Last weekend, the Citizens beat Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals just three days after losing to Real Madrid on penalties in the Champions League quarter-finals.
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"Of course, we have to [compete] and they will put on pressure, it's what they have to do," said Guardiola. "Chelsea was the real proof we play in difficult conditions.
"We were not ready to compete against them, but we did it. And we played good? No. We were stable? No. But we found a way. We found the way to win, and it reached the final.
"Sometimes when you play in 60-65 games this season, people say: 'you are not playing like the previous games'. With respect, it's impossible to play a highest level all the time, impossible.
"The important thing is when you are not in your highest level, be consistent and take the points and win games and normally - normally - it's happened to us at the end of the season and that is so important."
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Man City gearing up for tricky trip to Forest
Man City were frustrated in a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest last season, and Guardiola is expecting another testing afternoon at the City Ground this weekend.
"I think I've been one or twice in that stadium and always the atmosphere is unbelievable," said the Catalan boss.
"Maybe an extra [factor] I would say for the fact that they are in a relegation battle. That's why how important the results, especially yesterday, Everton won, so it's not good for them.
"But what I'm concerned about is [Callum] Hudson-Odoi and all of the strikers that they have and we have to control the weapons that they have.
"We are used to playing with the environment and we're going to try what we have to do. Of course they're going to use this home ground home people to support that is normal."
Man City beat Forest 2-0 in the reverse fixture at the Etihad Stadium in September last year courtesy of two early goals from Foden and Erling Haaland. The latter is an injury doubt for Sunday's match at the City Ground after missing the previous two games with a minor muscle issue, although he was spotted in training on Friday.
Oliver Thomas
