Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says it is “unacceptable” that his side had to play an FA Cup semi-final so soon after a Champions League quarter-final.
City overcame Chelsea 1-0 to reach a second successive final but Guardiola criticised their schedule after the penalty shootout defeat by Real Madrid.
Guardiola said Coventry and Manchester United – who play on Sunday at Wembley – should have played on Saturday.
“I don’t understand how we survived,” added the City boss.
City lost on penalties to Real Madrid on Wednesday after the teams were locked 4-4 on aggregate after extra time.
Guardiola’s argument is that the other FA Cup semi-final between Manchester United and Coventry, who are not in European competition, should have been switched to Saturday to allow his players an extra day to recover.
“It’s unacceptable to let us play today,” he told BBC Sport. “It’s impossible, for the health of the players. It’s not normal.
“One hundred and twenty 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.”
Guardiola was animated after full-time on Saturday, hugging his players on the pitch and waving his arms in the air towards City’s supporters.
Later, in his news conference, Guardiola continued with his criticism – describing the domestic and international calendar as “unsustainable”.
City’s next match is on Thursday, when they play at Brighton in the Premier League (20:00 BST).
“I just want to protect my players. It’s common sense. I’m not asking for something special or privilege,” Guardiola said.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, whose team beat Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday after losing to Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday, agreed with Guardiola’s comments.
“It’s not about us, Pep or myself. It’s about the wellbeing of the players,” said Arteta, who was Guardiola’s assistant at City before joining Arsenal in 2019.
“When you compete in European competition, every team has to compete in the same way.
“You cannot have a team that hasn’t played for seven days, or three days before and has more recovery time, and then you have to play in the Premier League and the FA Cup. It is not right.”
There are still set to be clashes between domestic competitions and Uefa matches when the 2024-25 fixture calendar is confirmed next month, despite FA Cup replays being scrapped.
The Premier League, Football Association and English Football League feel they have been left in an impossible situation, due to Uefa’s decision to expand its three club competitions and the introduction of the new Fifa Club World Cup at the end of next season.
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