Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is apparently furious with the Premier League after seeing their fixture with Cardiff City rescheduled for three days before their FA Cup semi-final.
City had been due to clash with relegation-threatened Cardiff on April 6 but the club’s progression in the FA Cup has led to changes in the fixture schedule – which have left Guardiola seething.
The Mirror reports Guardiola is furious with the decision to schedule City’s clash with Cardiff less than 72 hours before their FA Cup semi-final at Wembley – adding to what he believes his already a ‘crazy’ schedule in April.
City, like Liverpool, are also continuing their Champions League campaign in the quarter-finals and that has left the schedule for Guardiola being incredibly intense, as his side chases an unprecedented quadruple.
According to the report, that has left Guardiola fearing that it could derail his side’s chances of a clean sweep of trophies this season but, more importantly, he also believes it could hand Liverpool the advantage in the title race.
Guardiola had already criticised his side’s fixture schedule for April at the weekend, speaking to reporters after the comeback victory in the FA Cup over Swansea City.
“It’s crazy, the fixtures we have in April. That’s why we need everybody,” he said.
“The players who play are incredible. They have to sustain that level and the players who need to increase, they have to improve, because we need it.
“Everyone is going to play especially John Stones, Kevin De Bruyne and Benjamin Mendy, and all the players who are coming back, because we need everyone.”
Liverpool currently lead City in the Premier League by two points, although Guardiola’s side have a game in hand over their title rivals.