Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed his frustration with the tight scheduling that followed his team’s Champions League quarter-final clash against Real Madrid. After playing a draining match that went to extra time, City had to face Chelsea just a few days later, with Guardiola questioning why his team wasn’t given an additional day to recover.
Guardiola Questions Broadcasters’ Decisions
Speaking after City’s defeat to Chelsea, Guardiola pointed out the rigid scheduling imposed by broadcasters, which forced his team to play just days after their exhausting midweek fixture. “We played the Wednesday against Real Madrid in the quarter-final with extra time, so why did we play Saturday, not Sunday?” Guardiola asked.
The Manchester City manager was critical of the reasoning behind the decision, explaining that the broadcasters argued the Saturday game would bring in more ratings, but that wasn’t the case. “United, with the Championship team that did amazing, Coventry, had more audience. So if the game is good, people will watch it,” he said, highlighting that quality football, not scheduling, drives viewership.
Disappointment with Player Welfare
Guardiola also emphasized the toll this hectic schedule took on his players. He expressed frustration that, despite needing time to recover both mentally and physically from their Champions League exit, his team had to return to the pitch so soon.
“We were absolutely destroyed [vs Chelsea],” he said. “I said before the game: ‘You are sad and you are tired,’ and they said: ‘Yeah’. We were not able to go through against Real Madrid. So we were disappointed. You need time to process that defeat. But then we played against Chelsea. Why not give me one more day? Why not?”
Scheduling Conflicts Affect Manchester City
Another challenge for City’s schedule revolved around the Europa League. Manchester United’s fixture against Twente on the same night meant City couldn’t play against Watford at home due to local policing restrictions. While there was an option to play the match away at Vicarage Road, Guardiola chose to play at the Etihad Stadium instead.
The tight scheduling highlights a broader issue for Guardiola, who believes that decisions made by broadcasters and governing bodies often prioritize business interests over the welfare of players and the integrity of the game.
Pep Guardiola’s criticisms bring attention to the challenges teams face with scheduling, especially when broadcasters and governing bodies prioritize viewership over the well-being of players. His frustration is evident as Manchester City was forced into an intense match schedule, leaving little room for recovery. As Guardiola suggests, similar situations will likely arise in future seasons, unless a shift occurs in how football fixtures are planned.
Summary
– Guardiola questions tight scheduling after Real Madrid clash.
– He criticizes broadcasters for prioritizing ratings over player welfare.
– Manchester City faced challenges with local scheduling conflicts involving Manchester United.