Spanish coaches Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta, currently in charge of Manchester City and Arsenal, respectively, criticized the game calendar. According to them, there is little rest time between matches.
For the City squad, the team had just over two days (66 hours) of rest for this Saturday’s duel against Chelsea, for the FA Cup, as they entered the field last Wednesday, in the elimination for Real Madrid on penalties, after the score remained equal in extra time.
“It’s unacceptable. It’s not normal. For the health of the players, after a game that went into extra time, it’s unacceptable. I don’t know how we survived today,” he told the BBC.
“I know nothing will change. Nothing. Why don’t we rest one more day for the players’ health? How do we prepare for Chelsea at this point in the season? It’s impossible,” Guardiola added.
Manchester City will end the season with 59 games played.
For Arteta’s Arsenal, the team will take to the field eight times in a period of 25 days in April. The team beat Wolverhampton in the Premier League yesterday afternoon and will return to the pitch this Tuesday, against Chelsea, in the same competition.
“The case is not with me or Guardiola, but with the well-being of the players. It’s not correct,” criticized Arteta.
“We will protect the players and do everything we can to give them as much time as possible to recover. They are incredible and it is a pleasure to work with them,” he concluded.
Arsenal are the current leader of the Premier League, with 74 points. However, they have one more game compared to Manchester City, who are right behind with 73 added.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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