City closer to the 'impossible'

Kevin De Bruyne admits the strain of chasing the quadruple means Manchester City are almost certain to fail in their historic bid. Pep Guardiola's side edged closer to an unprecedented clean-sweep of all four major trophies as they beat Brighton 1-0 in Saturday's FA Cup semifinal at Wembley.

Having already won the League Cup, City are through to their second domestic final of the season. They are also embroiled in the Premier League title race, trailing leaders Liverpool by two points with a game in hand.

On Tuesday, they face Tottenham in the Champions League quarterfinal first leg in north London. Yet Guardiola described the quadruple attempt as "almost impossible" after the Brighton game.

"My opinion is that nobody has done it [won the quadruple], so why can we do it?," he said. "It is almost impossible to achieve everything, that is the truth."

City midfielder De Bruyne agrees that the congested fixture list presents a tough obstacle due to mounting mental and physical strain.

"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," he said.

"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 at Tottenham.

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

"Every game is difficult. We just now have to prepare for Tuesday," De Bruyne said.

"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."

In yesterday's second semifinal, Gerard Deulofeu starred for Watford as they roared back from two goals down on Sunday to beat Wolves 3-2 and set up a final against Manchester City.

Javi Gracia's side looked down and out late in normal time before a moment of magic from substitute Deulofeu and a last-gasp penalty from Troy Deeney pulled them level.

Shell-shocked Wolves settled quickly at the start of extra time but the momentum was with a physical Watford side.

They took the lead for the first time in the match after more brilliance from Spaniard Deulofeu, who rolled the ball past John Ruddy from a tight angle after holding off Conor Coady.