Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola has spoken out about the Premier League’s decision to reject the club’s proposed match.
Manchester City head coach Josep Guardiola commented on the Premier League decision (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
Manager Josep Guardiola has dismissed concerns about Manchester City’s fixture schedule and urged his players to prove they can dominate English football. The City manager admitted that the schedule “could be better”, but insisted it was a permanent aspect of the game that people would have to accept if they chose to play in the league.
City were furious this week after the Premier League rejected their offer for several matches, forcing them to impose the toughest schedule possible in the final week of the season.
After playing Crystal Palace at home in the Premier League on Wednesday 13 May, City face Chelsea in the FA Cup final at Wembley just three days later, before returning to Bournemouth the following Tuesday.
Arsenal face a unique challenge, having to survive league games against Newcastle, Fulham and West Ham, while also taking on Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals.
read more: Arsenal and Aston Villa were making a fuss in Europe, but the same shouldn’t happen in the Premier League.read more: Jack Grealish hits back at critics as Man City star and Everton loanee share updates
The Gunners returned to the top of the table with a 1-0 win over Newcastle, but goal difference may ultimately be the only factor separating the two teams.
However, despite the various complexities that needed to be considered, City remained dissatisfied with the Premier League’s decision.
Guardiola would have preferred a different ending to the season, but says he recalls his time at Barcelona and that scheduling difficulties have always been a part of English football.
“That’s the way it is,” he said. “I would like to play in the semi-finals of the Champions League, the calendar has always been like this when we won the treble and the quadruple.
Manager Josep Guardiola has made a decision on Manchester City’s schedule (Image: Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
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“Of course it could be better, but I never thought it would be like this for a long time. It’s what it is. We’re going to adapt and play game by game.”
“Regardless of the calendar, the broadcasters, the Premier League or whoever decides, we will be playing the game with 11 players and people on the bench.
“This is the way it is here. We have to adapt. If you don’t like it, go train in France or Portugal. I like being here, I said it when I was at Barcelona, and all the managers here were complaining about the schedule.”
“That’s the reality. I never expect anything different. They decided to play, so we will play.”
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