Despite making it to the FA Cup final after beating Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday, Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola was left fuming at the schedule of the cup match.
The match against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final came just three days after they saw their treble hopes ended after losing on penalties to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.
Despite the win, Pep Guardiola was not enthused by the schedule as he believes the many matches his players have to play within the space of a few days takes a toll on them.
A Benardo Silva deflected shot late on was all Manchester City needed to beat Chelsea.
“It’s unacceptable to let us play today,” Pep Guardiola said about the FA Cup schedule.
“It’s impossible, for the health of the players. It’s not normal. It’s unacceptable. 120 minutes, the emotions of Madrid, the way we lose, honestly.
According to the City boss, he sees it as a miracle that his club got the win against Chelsea to make it to the final of the FA Cup.
“I know this country is special (with the FA Cup) but it’s for the health of the players. I don’t understand how we survived today,” he said.
If the former Bayern and Barcelona manager had his way, the match against Chelsea would have been played tomorrow, but he clearly does not have his way, and he was left asking questions as to why the match was not moved to tomorrow, instead of today.
“The only power I have I say here. Why don’t we play tomorrow? Chelsea, Manchester United, Coventry didn’t play midweek,” Pep Guardiola said.
Pep Guardiola believes that it is mentally tough for the players as they have to play these difficult matches within the space of a few days.
“Mentally so tough to recover. Rodri, the way he played today, Kyle (Walker), who was injured for a few weeks, I don’t understand how they survived.
“We want to play football, we love to play football, but it’s too much. We defend our trophy. We’ll be here.”
Notwithstanding, Manchester City and Pep Guardiola have another FA Cup final to play, and after losing out on a second straight treble, they could still win a double, as they are also in the reckoning for the Premier League title.
They are the holders of both trophies they have now been left to fight for.