Guardiola fears ‘crazy’ schedule will take toll on players
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) —Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola fears the “completely crazy” schedule facing teams playing in Europe will take a heavy toll on the fitness of players.
City have had a number of injury problems already this campaign and Guardiola believes that is down to the demands being placed on his side.
The season is being compressed into a shorter period than usual after the late finish to last term because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Guardiola takes his side to West Ham today, in one of three away games for City in eight days, during a 22-day period featuring seven fixtures.
“The schedule is completely crazy for everyone, especially the teams that play in Europe,” he told reporters yesterday.
“Right now I don’t know my selection. We play tomorrow at 12:30 [1130 GMT], so not much recovery. Today the guys trained really well and tonight we will decide.”
Guardiola is convinced the gruelling schedule for teams in the Champions League and Europa League will put them in a difficult position when they try to challenge for domestic honours.
“This league always was so difficult, and everyone can lose everywhere. The teams who have seven, eight days to prepare game by game, they have a huge advantage,” he said.
“On the other side, the teams who compete to win titles and be on top, it is the way we have to live. If we cannot adjust or accept or handle this situation, you cannot be the manager or play in these teams.”
Reports emerged earlier this week about talks over a “European Premier League”.
Given his concerns over player burnout, Guardiola is unimpressed by the idea of adding more fixtures to the schedule.
“New competitions in Europe, they want to create new things, and always the same, just two or three weeks a year to rest,” he said.
“For the players, this is the crazy, crazy situation for all of them.”
Fernandinho was City’s latest casualty after hobbling off during the 3-1 Champions League win over Porto on Wednesday with a leg injury.
Guardiola said after the game that the Brazilian would be out for four to six weeks, but he is now expected to return sooner.
