Guardiola downplays the pressure of the schedule and challenges criticism.

Pep Guardiola challenges criticism and downplays Manchester City’s tough schedule: “If you don’t like it, go coach in France or Portugal”

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is unfazed by the complaints surrounding the hectic schedule imposed on his team by the Premier League during crucial moments of the season. This week, the league organization confirmed City’s fixtures for the final matches, ignoring the team’s request to change dates to better manage their preparation for the FA Cup final. According to reports, the club wanted to face Bournemouth on May 12 and Crystal Palace on May 19, ensuring more time to recover for the final and play the last two matches at the Etihad Stadium.

However, the Premier League scheduled the Palace match for May 13 and Bournemouth for May 19, with both games sandwiched between a clash against Chelsea at Wembley, forcing City to play four matches in just 11 days. When questioned about this demand, Guardiola took a firm and pragmatic stance, dismissing dramatics and reminding that other rivals, such as Arsenal, also face tight schedules due to their participation in the Champions League semi-finals.

“It is what it is. Arsenal is in the Champions League semi-finals, so it is what it is. When we won the treble, we had a similar schedule, and I learned a long time ago not to expect anything different. We have to adapt and take it game by game. If you don’t like it, go train in France or Portugal. I like being here, and I’ve said it several times – when I was at Barcelona and saw coaches here complaining about the schedule – it has always been this way. So, I never expected anything different,” stated the Catalan coach with his usual frankness.

City faces a demanding test this Monday with a visit to Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, where they have never played before. Pep’s team cannot afford to falter, especially since Arsenal has the opportunity to open a six-point lead in the table, albeit with two games more, when they face Fulham the following day. Guardiola did not hide that he expects a tough game against an Everton side determined to secure a place in European competitions.

“They are difficult opponents – they always have been. It will be strange because the old Everton stadium was very special, very British. I liked going there, but I am looking forward to seeing the new stadium. They defend very well. David Moyes knows exactly what to do. The game we played at the Etihad was decided by two or three actions, but at that moment we weren’t doing well. Now we are better, and we hope to use what we are fighting for to win, win, win,” he emphasized.

In the news section, Pep Guardiola paid tribute to John Stones, who this week announced he will leave Manchester City at the end of the season after a decade and 16 trophies won. The centre-back, one of Guardiola’s first signings at the club, was praised by the coach as a player of immense quality and personality, especially for his outstanding performance in the Champions League final in Istanbul in 2023.

“He was one of my first signings. I remember traveling to London to meet him at my brother’s house for the first time. He was young, and there are few players who understand what we have done as a club during this period. He was by far the best player in the Champions final in Istanbul. He has a great personality, and now that he is fit, he can find the physical rhythm to be ready. He is an incredible person, both on and off the pitch,” Guardiola highlighted.

As for the squad, the coach hopes to have Rodri available for the match against Everton, provided the midfielder recovers from training in the coming days. Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol remain sidelined due to injuries, representing significant absences for the final stretch of the season.

With the title race tighter than ever, and the schedule testing the endurance of a team already accustomed to challenges, Guardiola maintains his unwavering stance: adaptation and total focus on the ultimate goal. Manchester City is ready for the battle – and their coach does not accept excuses.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.