Fixture congestion worries Guardiola ahead of Real Madrid tie
After securing a place in the knockout stages with a win over Club Brugge on 29 january, City were drawn against the 15-time European champions in the play-off round on Friday.
Pep Guardiola has expressed concerns over Manchester City's demanding fixture schedule, fearing it could hinder their preparations for the Champions League clash against Real Madrid.
After securing a place in the knockout stages with a win over Club Brugge on 29 january, City were drawn against the 15-time European champions in the play-off round on 31 january.
The first leg will be held in Manchester on 11 or 12 february, with the return leg in Madrid a week later.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
City face a daunting run of fixtures, starting with a Premier League trip to Arsenal on 3 february. They then host Newcastle before the second leg against Madrid, followed by a clash with Liverpool. Additionally, they have an FA Cup fourth-round tie against Leyton Orient and a league match at Tottenham in february.
Speaking after the draw, Guardiola acknowledged the difficulty of facing Madrid once again. "Well, it looks like a derby already, four years in a row facing Madrid," he said. "Could the draw have been kinder? Yes. Bayern Munich was extremely difficult. Real Madrid is difficult, we know that."
Unlike other European leagues that adjust schedules to accommodate Champions League fixtures, the Premier League maintains its relentless calendar, something Guardiola highlighted. "Normally in the Premier League, they always give the toughest schedules for teams in Europe," he said. "It's hard enough facing Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, but in between, we also have Newcastle."
When asked if English clubs should receive more support, Guardiola was blunt. "Are you seriously asking me this after all these years? Come on. Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger—everyone made the same complaints. Do you think it will change? The broadcasters decide, they don't ask me what is best."
The upcoming ties will mark the fifth time in six seasons that City and Madrid have met in the Champions League. Madrid eliminated City in last season's quarter-finals, but Guardiola's side triumphed in the 2022/23 semi-finals en route to their first European title.
City's chances of repeating that success would be significantly improved by the return of Rodri. The Spain international was initially ruled out for the season after suffering a cruciate ligament injury against Arsenal in september, but the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner is optimistic about returning earlier.
"He is positive," Guardiola said. "But an ACL injury is the same for every footballer and athlete. You have to respect the human body. If you rush it, you risk setbacks for next season. Of course, he wants to play tomorrow, but we have to be careful. It's going really well, but step by step."
