‘We pay a lot of money, shut up!’ – Man City boss Pep Guardiola explains why he’s helpless despite frustration over Premier League scheduling before Champions League matches

Guardiola has already voiced his exasperation with the scheduling conflict of City’s match against Manchester United on Sunday, which occurred only three days prior to their last-16 second leg encounter against Copenhagen in Europe. He stated that no other nation requires its teams to compete on a Sunday if they have a European match scheduled for the following Wednesday. City effortlessly defeated the Danish team, winning 3-1 and securing a final score of 6-2 overall. However, he persisted in expressing dissatisfaction with the schedule after the match.

Guardiola told a press conference: “Talk to the Premier League? They would say, ‘We pay a lot of money; shut up!'”

Guardiola made seven alterations to his starting lineup against Copenhagen subsequent to the 3-1 triumph against United in the Manchester derby as his team prepared for a pivotal Premier League title clash against Liverpool on Sunday. Contrary to the belief that he was resting players for the trip to Anfield, the coach adamantly stated that he approached the second leg with Copenhagen with the utmost seriousness. “I required players with renewed energy, as I was aware of the fatigue my current players were experiencing,” he stated. “In certain nations, if you participate in a game on Wednesday, they grant you permission to participate in another game on Saturday.” I required individuals with rejuvenated stamina, individuals capable of enduring a match of this intensity.

Were you aware?
City have advanced to the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the seventh consecutive season.

The next opponents of City in the Champions League quarter-final will be determined through a draw on March 15. Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain have successfully advanced to the next round. The remaining four matches will be contested next week.