Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has pointed out the challenging schedule his team faces in the lead-up to their crucial match against Madrid. Guardiola emphasized the tight turnaround between Premier League fixtures and the upcoming European game, highlighting the disparity in preparation time compared to their opponents.
Manchester City is set to play Aston Villa at 20:15, followed by a match against Crystal Palace on Saturday at 12:30. Shortly after, the team will travel to Madrid for a Tuesday game. Guardiola expressed his concerns, noting, “Madrid have nine days to prepare, nine days!”
The City boss lamented the lack of additional recovery and preparation time for his squad, stating, “I’d like to think: oh give me one more day, because the difference is a lot. No chance…”
This sequence of games underscores the demanding schedule top European clubs often face, balancing domestic league commitments with international competitions. Guardiola’s comments reflect the challenges teams encounter in managing player fitness and tactics amidst a congested fixture list.