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Apr 6, 2019 at 5.30pm UK at ​Etihad Stadium
Attendance: 71,521
Man CityManchester City
1-0
BrightonBrighton & Hove Albion
Jesus (4')
FT(HT: 1-0)

De Bruyne believes quadruple is nearly impossible for Manchester City

De Bruyne believes quadruple is nearly impossible for Manchester City
© Reuters
Pep Guardiola's side reached the FA Cup final with a 1-0 win over Brighton at Wembley.

Kevin De Bruyne believes the mental and physical toll of chasing the quadruple could make the feat nearly impossible for Manchester City.

City moved a step closer to an unprecedented clean sweep of four trophies by reaching the FA Cup final with a narrow 1-0 victory over Brighton at Wembley on Saturday.

Yet manager Pep Guardiola described the quad challenge as almost impossible after the game and De Bruyne agrees that the congested fixture list presents a tough obstacle.

The Belgium playmaker said: "It is nearly impossible. I don't think it is impossible to win every game, (looking) game by game, but if you see the fixtures coming up – I think every game we play now we are going to be at a disadvantage physically and mentally because we will have a game before the other teams, the other teams will have a rest.

"The Champions League is the same. So, it is difficult."

City are now staying in London ahead of their next testing task, Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg at Tottenham.

To underline his point, De Bruyne noted that Spurs – who City also face in the Premier League this month – have had a free weekend ahead of the clash.

Tottenham's new stadium will not have any bearing on their game with Manchester City, according to De Bruyne
Tottenham's new stadium will not have any bearing on their game with Manchester City, according to De Bruyne (Nick Potts/PA)

The 27-year-old said: "Every game is difficult. We just now have to prepare for Tuesday.

"We know Tottenham played their last game on Wednesday so they will be more fresh than us. We have to prepare ourselves mentally and physically to be ready."

The game will be Spurs' second at their new stadium, the move to which has given the club a lift.

But De Bruyne said: "The stadium doesn't matter. They are going to be excited because it is a Champions League quarter-final.

"Spurs are a very good team. Everybody knows how they play. They will not change. It is going to be exciting, it is going to be tough because we play them three times in 10 days."

De Bruyne felt Brighton only had one real chance in the FA Cup semi-final
De Bruyne felt Brighton only had one real chance in the FA Cup semi-final (Nick Potts/PA)

While City were involved in FA Cup action over the weekend, title rivals Liverpool returned to the top of the table with a hard-fought win over Southampton. City are still favourites because of their game in hand, but De Bruyne does not think the Reds will allow any margin for error.

He said: "Probably they will (win their games). We just have to look at ourselves and try to win game by game. We will see in the end what happens.

"No matter who is champion or second, we've had a great season. What can you say if you get 92 or 95 points and in the end you are second? Normally that's historic in the Premier League, to get these points. Imagine being second with it."

De Bruyne provided the one genuine moment of quality in a drab game against Brighton, curling in a brilliant fourth-minute cross for Gabriel Jesus to head the only goal. The Seagulls applied pressure in the second half but City comfortably closed out the win.

"We know how Brighton play," De Bruyne said. "They played well and it was difficult for us but, except for one corner, I don't think they threatened too much."


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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola watches on during his side's Premier League clash with Cardiff City on April 3, 2019
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool33257175205582
2Manchester CityMan City32262483216280
3Chelsea33206757342366
4Tottenham HotspurSpurs322111060342664
5Arsenal32196765402563
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd32187761431861
7Leicester CityLeicester33145144644247
8Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32138114039147
9Everton33137134642446
10Watford32137124747046
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham33126154150-942
12Crystal Palace33116163943-439
13Bournemouth33115174461-1738
14Burnley33106174060-2036
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3398163143-1235
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton3196163246-1433
17Southampton3289153653-1733
18Cardiff CityCardiff3284202861-3328
RFulham3345243076-4617
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield3335251963-4414

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