Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was left fuming after his side's FA Cup semi-final win over Chelsea, due to the scheduling of the game.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
City played Real Madrid in midweekHad to play Chelsea on SaturdayGuardiola fuming at schedulingWHAT HAPPENED?
City beat Chelsea 1-0 on Saturday in a see-saw FA Cup semi-final, and will now play the winners of Sunday's clash between Coventry City and Manchester United. However, Guardiola was left fuming by the scheduling, after seeing his side crash out of the Champions League against Real Madrid on penalties on Wednesday; by comparison, none of the other three sides in the cup played in midweek.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Guardiola believes that City's clash should have been scheduled on Sunday, for the well-being of his players, and he expressed his amazement that his City players were still on their feet come the final whistle, having played 120 minutes just a few days prior.
WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID
Guardiola told BBC Sport: "It's unacceptable. It's really unacceptable. Coventry, United, Chelsea don't play in the week and they had us play today. Next week, on Friday, will be better."
Asked by presenter Gary Lineker if he felt unfairly treated, Guardiola replied: "It's impossible. For the health of the players. It's not normal, honestly, it's not normal. So because I win I have the courage to tell you and in defeat I would shut up but it's not possible. It's unacceptable to go 120 minutes, all of you are football players, the emotion to play Madrid, the semi-finals, the way we lose and everything, so honestly, I know in this country it's special for many reasons, but it's for the health of the players. I don't understand how we survived today."
Asked if he had raised it with the FA, he replied: "Gary, do you think our demanding is going to change something? The only power I have I say here, it's not going to change anything. I've known it for many years but why do you play today and not tomorrow when Coventry, United and Chelsea don't play in midweek? Why? Why not have one more day for the health of the players?"
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?
City are next in action in the Premier League on Thursday against Brighton, and they then play again on Sunday against Nottingham Forest.