Pep Guardiola voices frustration over tight schedule before FA Cup final

Pep Guardiola has launched an attack on the Premier League's choices over the festive period as concerns mount over the welfare of players in the increasingly fraught race for the FA Cup final. Guardiola had argued that the league's scheduling did not provide enough time for his team to recover from matches, particularly in comparison with other teams.The stem of Guardiola’s irritation is the short period between two such important games. He also suggested that while Thursday-night games between Manchester United and Tottenham had been moved to give them extra time to prepare for European competition, Manchester City had not been afforded that same luxury. In particular, City face a clash with Bournemouth just 72 hours after the FA Cup final, a game that could be key to City’s Champions League qualification fortunes.“It's unacceptable,” Guardiola said, stressing the toll on his players’ bodies. He also pointed out the unfair disparity in scheduling, pointing to the fact that other teams got more favorable treatment. "We want to play football. We love playing football, but it's too much," he said.The manager has a point that goes beyond the fairness of it, to the health and performance of his players. Guardiola pointed out the congested fixture list as a reason why players become more injury-prone and how it impacts their preparation for big games. He referred to past examples when they were not given the proper time in between and how it affected the team, including their FA Cup semi-final defeat to Liverpool in 2022 after a Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund. With Manchester City having an FA Cup final on the horizon, Guardiola's remarks breathe life into the discussion of fixture congestion and its effects on player welfare. The manager's fiery view highlights the value of better scheduling to protect the well-being and performance of players. Also Read: Pep Guardiola opens up on future after Manchester City: 'Don't know if I'm going to retire'He added that elite footballers were not robots, and urged governing bodies to demonstrate more humanity. “We demand a lot from the players — too much. Rest and recovery are so important," he said, insisting talks between clubs, the FA and the Premier League must quickly take place to resolve the increasing problem.