Manchester City Manager Guardiola Expresses Frustration with Premier League Scheduling
In a recent press conference, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed his frustration with the Premier League’s scheduling, citing what he perceives as a bias towards Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. According to reports from Vietnam.vn, Guardiola’s comments come ahead of his team’s FA Cup final against Crystal Palace on May 17.
Guardiola’s primary concern is the scheduling conflict that has arisen due to the Premier League’s fixture list. The Catalan manager noted that both Tottenham and Manchester United have been given more favourable scheduling, allowing them to play their Europa League matches on a Friday, before the FA Cup final. In contrast, Manchester City is required to play a Premier League match against Bournemouth on Tuesday, just two days after the FA Cup final. As Vietnam.vn reports, Guardiola stated, "The Tottenham and Manchester United play on Friday before the Europa League final. A right decision, not sarcasm."
However, Guardiola took issue with the fact that his team is not afforded the same luxury, having to compete in the Champions League quarter-finals or semi-finals on a Wednesday, only to be required to play again on the Saturday. Vietnam.vn quotes Guardiola as saying, "This season, when we don’t have those matches, we have to play on Sunday, although we don’t need an extra day off." The manager’s frustration stems from the fact that his team needs to accumulate points to secure a top-five finish and a Champions League spot for next season.
Guardiola did acknowledge that his team had not requested a change in the scheduling, but expressed a preference for playing on a Wednesday. As reported by Vietnam.vn, Guardiola explained, "We have to play against Bournemouth, a very physical team, very direct, competing for a European spot. But they left us in third place. For nine years, we have always faced such situations and never been favourites."
Despite these challenges, Guardiola remains focused on his team’s objectives, including winning the FA Cup final. The match pits Crystal Palace, who are seeking their first major trophy, against Manchester City, who are eager to avoid a trophyless season. Meanwhile, both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are struggling in the Premier League, having recently suffered losses to Chelsea and Aston Villa, respectively.
In related news, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are currently languishing in the lower reaches of the Premier League table, with both teams occupying spots outside the top 15. As Vietnam.vn notes, Manchester United’s recent loss to Chelsea saw them drop to 16th, while Tottenham’s defeat to Aston Villa saw them slide to 17th.
The scheduling conflict has raised questions about the Premier League’s fixture allocation and whether some teams are being given preferential treatment. As the season draws to a close, Manchester City’s manager will be hoping that his team can overcome the challenges ahead and secure a successful finish to the campaign.
Source: Vietnam.vn
