Pep Guardiola wants his players to avoid making any silly mistakes that could cost them later in the Champions League campaign when they face Sevilla on Wednesday.
City have won their group with a game to spare, with all other positions in Group G decided so there is nothing riding on the final fixtures. That gives Guardiola a chance to rest some key players and also give those without much game-time some minutes on the pitch.
However, Guardiola made sure to warn his players about last season's equivalent fixture, when they travelled to RB Leipzig in the final game having already won the group. Guardiola played a stronger-than-expected side, citing the need to maintain the integrity of the competition as Leipzig could still quality - but in the process, Kyle Walker got sent off and earned a suspension for the last 16 fixtures.
Asked if there's a danger of picking up unnecessary injuries or suspensions, Guardiola said: "Yeah, definitely. After what happened with Kyle, definitely. We want to win the game, it is a moment to continue to practice things, for players to see themselves for how good they are and for the prestige and for many reasons.
"We have to do it and avoid what happened last season. The more players we can use in the last 16 in March, the better."
Regarding the fringe players who could feature, Guardiola kept his cards close to his chest but suggested fitness would play a key role in his selection decisions.
He said: "I have to see the training session but of course four days recovery is different to three. We played Brighton on Saturday and Dortmund on Germany. Here it is different. I want to take a look but the players who don’t play regularly are going to play."
One of those players could be Cole Palmer, who missed the trip to Leicester for fitness reasons. Guardiola confirmed the youngster is back available but said he has nothing to prove if he gets a rare start.
“He trained after the game and he trained really well. He doesn’t have to show me anything special," he said.
"If he plays, I don’t know yet, I have to speak to the doctors and see the training session. After the training session, I will see which players start. But he has to be himself. If he is here it is because he has all the attributes to play with us. But he does not have to prove anything to me tomorrow if he has the opportunity.
"He has few and he will have [more] in the future and in this Champions League game, with the scenario against… ok, maybe it is not a good moment in Spain, but the most prestigious in Spain, Sevilla is there. We would love to have the trophy cabinet they have in Europe. We will see."