Pep Guardiola has expressed concerns that Manchester City’s bid to eliminate defending champions Real Madrid in the Champions League could be hindered by the demanding Premier League schedule.
After securing qualification from the group stages with a 5-1 win over Club Brugge, City were drawn to face the 15-time European champions in the knockout rounds. The first leg will take place at the Etihad Stadium on February 11 or 12, with the return leg in Madrid scheduled a week later.
The timing is challenging for Guardiola’s side, as they travel to Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, followed by home matches against Newcastle and Liverpool around the second-leg clash with Real. In addition, City has an FA Cup match at Leyton Orient and a Premier League game against Tottenham in February.
Guardiola acknowledged the difficulty of the draw, noting that it was "like a derby already, facing Madrid for the fourth year in a row." He added, “The draw could have been nicer, but we know Real Madrid is always a tough opponent.”
Amid their ongoing battle to secure Champions League qualification for next season and push for this year's title, Guardiola will face tricky decisions regarding player rotations during this intense stretch. In contrast to other European leagues, which tend to ease the fixture burden on Champions League teams, the Premier League’s relentless schedule continues unabated.
“Normally, the Premier League always schedules the toughest matches for teams in Europe,” Guardiola said. "It’s tough to play against Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, but the problem is in the middle, it's Newcastle."
When asked if Premier League clubs like Manchester City should receive more consideration regarding fixture congestion, Guardiola was candid. “Do you think it’s going to change? The broadcasters decide the schedules, not me,” he said. “I’m not complaining; we’ve had incredible success with these schedules.”
City’s Champions League tie with Real marks the fifth two-legged encounter between the clubs in the past six seasons. Real knocked City out in the quarter-finals last year, but City triumphed in the semi-finals during the 2022/23 season on their way to winning their first-ever Champions League title.
Guardiola’s hopes for another deep run in the competition could be bolstered by the potential return of Rodri. The Spain international has made significant recovery progress after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in September. Initially ruled out for the season, Rodri remains hopeful of returning before the campaign concludes.
“He’s positive. But ACL is ACL, and you must respect the body,” Guardiola said, adding that the club is taking a cautious approach to his recovery. “We respect that, and we don’t want to rush him back too soon.”
With crucial games looming on the horizon, Guardiola’s ability to manage his squad's fitness and rotation will be key to City’s success in both domestic and European competitions.
Channelstv
