The way some Real Madrid players were talking after their Champions League first leg, you could be forgiven for thinking they didn't have a game this weekend.
They do of course, at home to Getafe on Saturday night, but the inference was clear: where Manchester City cannot afford to take their eye off the ball in the Premier League, Real can afford to focus solely on Wednesday's big European showdown at the Etihad. In a match that will be decided by small margins, that could make a difference.
However, City have recent experience of being up against this. The second Arsenal were knocked out of the Europa League in March, it was widely thought to be a boost to their title hopes against a Blues side that had to play every three days.
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Consecutive 4-1 wins at home to Crystal Palace and Leeds gave strength to the theory, yet three points from their next four fixtures has seen them overtaken at the top. Seven days between matches is great when you win, but a long time to wait for a response when you don't.
Arsenal of course are not Real, and we are talking about one 90 minutes rather than the nuances of a nine-month campaign. At the same time though, Arsenal have only lost their advantage in the league because Pep Guardiola's side have seized their opportunity.
They have won ten straight league games since a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest that caused a team meeting where the players told each other they had to be more ruthless, and it is that that sees them go to Goodison Park with a one-point lead and a game in hand. As Rodri said recently, "if we keep with this same level we're doing I think we are unstoppable."
A run of 21 games without defeat suggests they have been at the very least unbeatable, and whether or not that takes them to a Champions League final their best chance of preparing for the big semi-final is to take the mentality that has got them this far to Merseyside.
Tiredness is a real and living issue with the squad, as seen by the changes that Guardiola has made since the quarter-final with Bayern. There may need to be changes against Everton with Real Madrid in mind.
However, City know that the second they think about losing their momentum it risks jeopardising everything that is throwing them forward towards a historic Treble. Three points against Everton would nudge the Blues closer to a third straight league table, leaving them realistically needing just five points from their final three games even if Arsenal win their last three.
Getting closer to the finish line at Everton is City's best chance of booking their flights to Istanbul.
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