Pep Guardiola, whose side is currently fourth in the table, revealed that City asked the Premier League to push the Bournemouth match back 24 hours – but a strong refusal was met
Pep Guardiola has accused the Premier League of the chance of Manchester City to qualify for the Champions League.
City Play Crystal Palace in Saturday's FA Cup final and then organizes Bournemouth 72 hours later in a must-win competition to keep their hope to secure a top five and a Champions League place.
Guardiola, whose side is currently fourth in the table, revealed that City asked the Premier League to push the Bournemouth match back 24 hours – but received a strong refusal.
That is despite the Premier League that brings Tottenham's visit to Aston Villa to Friday evening, to ensure that they have the same recovery time as the last opponents of the Europa League Manchester United.
Guardiola said: “Tottenham will play against Aston Villa on Friday because of the Europa League final. Good decision – and I am not ironic or sarcastic. The Premier League made a good decision.
“We played all the time in quarterfinals and semi -final on a Wednesday and then played games on a Saturday. This season we played on Sunday, when we didn't need the extra day.
“I would rather play on Wednesday – certainly. We have been fighting this situation for nine years. We are going to play against an intense, physical and powerful team on Tuesday evening.
“Bournemouth plays for the Europa League, and we have to deal with it. Tottenham playing on Friday – and this is what we have to do. It doesn't change much to play on Wednesday instead of Tuesday, but she [the Premier League] to decide.”
Guardiola refused to exclude the possibility that midfielder Rodri returned a shock to the city team tomorrow. Ballon d'Or winner Rodri has been out since September with an ACL injury that required surgery and months of rehabilitation.
But Guardiola said: “I'm waiting for the doctors. If they tell me he is ready, he will start. We don't want to take a risk and make a setback.”
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