Pep Guardiola says it is unacceptable that Manchester City had to play against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday.
After enduring 120 gruelling minutes with Real Madrid in midweek, in which City crashed out of the Champions League on penalties, Guardiola’s side had to go again less than three days later in the FA Cup.
City were visibly lacklustre throughout the game, but Chelsea failed to capitalise on a host of chances that were presented to them. City rallied in the second half and delivered a much more familiar performance, as Bernardo Silva’s late goal sunk Chelsea late on in the game.
After the game, Guardiola said it was unacceptable that City were scheduled to play today and pointed that Manchester United and Coventry, who play in tomorrow’s other semi-final, should have played today given they do not have any European duties.
Guardiola said: “It’s unacceptable to let us play today. 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. 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.”
Asked whether he has raised it with authorities: “Do you think demanding will change something? The only power I have I say here. Why don’t we play tomorrow [Sunday]? Chelsea, Manchester United, Coventry didn’t play midweek.
“I thought a lot. I remember two seasons ago we had Dortmund on Wednesday – and Liverpool on Saturday [in the FA Cup semi]. They were 3-0 up at half-time. They destroyed us.
“Mentally so tough to recover. Rodri, the way he played today, Kyle, 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.
“They killed us on the transition. The game was so tight. [I thought] extra-time, no please.”
On what he told his players: “Don’t fight against your feelings. If you’re sad you’re sad. If you’re disappointed, you’re disappointed. I’m sad. I’m so down. We played an exceptional game. I said if you’re sad play with your sadness.”
Watch Pep Guardiola’s full press conference here:
