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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is furious with the 'Unacceptable' fixture congestion and has demanded that player welfare be prioritised after his club survived Chelsea in the FA Cup.
Pep Guardiola has unleashed a scathing attack on the relentless schedule that has seen his Manchester City side play two high-stakes matches in the space of just four days.
Pulse Sports Nigeria can report that Guardiola has branded the situation as "unacceptable" and a danger to the health of his players after a hard-fought win against Chelsea on Saturday at Wembley.
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Pep Guardiola lashes out at scheduling
The Spanish tactician was left fuming after his team battled past Real Madrid in a thrilling UEFA Champions League semi-final on Wednesday, only to then have to face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final.
"It's unacceptable. It's not normal. For the health of the players, after 120 minutes vs Real... it's unacceptable," Guardiola said in his post-match press conference per a post from Fabrizio Romano.
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The City boss was particularly incensed by the fact that his team had to play this weekend, while other top clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United, and Coventry had a midweek break.
"Why today and not tomorrow when Chelsea, Man United and also Coventry don't play midweek? Why? Tell me why, explain to me," Guardiola demanded.
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The 53-year-old refused to accept the broadcasters' scheduling as a valid excuse, insisting that the well-being of the players should be the top priority.
"You will say: the broadcasters… no guys, I say that as it's for the health of the players, we can't accept that," he stated emphatically.
Praise for Man City Players
Guardiola was in awe of his players' ability to overcome the physical and mental toll of such a gruelling schedule, describing them as "legends of the game."
"These players are legends. Legends of the game. I don't understand how they survive today! Chapeau," he said, tipping his hat to their resilience.
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However, the City boss made it clear that this level of demand on the players is simply "too much" and cannot be sustained, warning that something needs to change to protect the health and well-being of the athletes.
"We love playing football, we love this sport but it's for the players, for their health... trust me, it's too much," Guardiola concluded.
As Manchester City continue their pursuit of the double after missing out on another unprecedented treble, Guardiola's passionate plea for a more player-friendly schedule will no doubt resonate with fans and pundits alike, who recognise the immense physical and mental toll on the modern-day footballer.
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