Pep Guardiola Voices Concerns Over Player Welfare Following Back-to-Back Matches
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed strong criticism of the fixture schedule as his team secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final. Guardiola’s comments came after City’s midweek Champions League exit, highlighting concerns about player welfare.
Guardiola did not hold back in his assessment, calling the scheduling “unacceptable” and stressing the physical toll it takes on players. He voiced his frustration, stating, “It’s unacceptable… It’s not normal. For the health of the players, after 120 minutes… it’s unacceptable. I don’t understand how we survived today.”
The manager’s frustration stemmed from City’s grueling midweek clash against Real Madrid, which ended in a penalty shootout defeat, leading to their elimination from Europe. Despite their triumph over Chelsea in the FA Cup, Guardiola emphasized the strain placed on his players due to the quick turnaround between high-intensity matches.
Guardiola’s concerns were evident as he questioned the rationale behind scheduling City’s FA Cup semi-final immediately after their Champions League fixture. He pointed out that other teams like Chelsea, Manchester United, and Coventry had more favorable rest periods, raising questions about fairness and player well-being.
Highlighting the resilience of his squad, Guardiola praised his players as “legends” for their ability to perform under such demanding circumstances. However, he reiterated the importance of considering the players’ health and urged authorities to reconsider scheduling to avoid undue strain on footballers.
The manager’s impassioned remarks underscored the broader debate around fixture congestion and its impact on player performance and welfare in modern football.
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