Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted that it’s increasingly difficult for players to perform at their best consistently due to the heavy number of matches in a season..
The Cityzens face Liverpool in the FA Cup on Saturday, with most of their players on duty during the international break.
Several players featured in two matches over the past week and were unable to rest, further adding to their workload this season.
Speaking ahead of their FA Cup quarter-final clash against the Reds, Guardiola admitted he would love his side to still be competing on all fronts, but acknowledged that the growing workload is becoming overwhelming.
“I would love to have the next week, in the midweek, to be in the Champions League and have a busy, busy schedule but unfortunately we are out,” Guardiola said.
“But we are focusing on the next game and after a long wait to prepare the next game against Chelsea. It is one of the last chances that we have to still be there for the minimal chance that we have for the Premier League. We are focused with that.”
Manchester City defeated Arsenal 20 before the international break to win the EFL Cup and they are also still in contention to win the Premier League.
A win on Saturday will also take them to the semifinal of the FA Cup for the eighth consecutive season.
“It is an international ‘break’ except for the players that go with the national teams”, Guardiola added.
“And it is still so difficult for me to understand how it is possible when you are eight or nine months playing for all the titles every three days, you are bringing players from other continents for friendly games.
“It is completely different when you have to qualify but the friendly games? The risk of injury is massive and it makes really, really, really no sense”, the Spaniard concluded.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
