Pep Guardiola called on his Manchester City players to be ready when called upon as the fixtures start to come every three days this month, following the 4-0 win at Norwich.
Guardiola made five changes at Norwich, resting some key players ahead of City's Champions League trip to Portugal in the week. He recalled some fringe players like Nathan Ake, Aleks Zinchenko and Fernandinho to the starting lineup, while he used his three substitutions to rest Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez and Bernardo Silva, while bringing on three academy players.
Of the changes, Guardiola reserved praise for Fernandinho and Zinchenko after the game, with the duo putting in impressive performances to control the game against a brave Norwich side.
"What a captain we have, I said many times all the things going to happen to him he deserves it," he said.
"We need everyone so cannot play all competitions with just 11 players. We don't have any doubts over the squad, because I know how important they are - this season, everyone is going to help us.
"The most important thing is how you perform, every player tried to do his best.
"Many years they have done it. When Aleks isn't playing because Joao is in good form or Rodri, they know and accept it. They don't have to convince me or their mates but they have to perform well they did it. Aleks was exceptional. This season, a lot of competition involved, everyone is involved, we cannot play with 11 players. Today we decide for playing every three days, travelling, we need fresh legs.
"Look what happens in Southampton, they were brilliant in Old Trafford, they played incredibly well. Football is unpredictable, how we behave today is Manchester City. If they scored, I'm sure we'd react well and maybe we drop points but the team is alive."
