Pep Guardiola has claimed that Manchester City would need to “find 400 days a year” to fit into the proposed Champions League reform scheme, adding that football’s governing body does not care about the players.
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City are likely to be affected by UEFA’s planned reform of their main club competition, as the event will be extended to 36 teams – with ten matches played alone in the group stage – until 2024.
Pep Guardiola has claimed that the Champions League reform will cause more player injuries Chloe Knott – Danehouse / Getty Images
Asked what he thought of the plans and the Swiss model as a whole, Guardiola was apparently unhappy with the prospect of adding City’s already hectic schedule further – saying that it was inevitable that his players would be affected – even if there was little he could do. do to affect the matter.
Guardiola was also keen to put the Super League saga behind him when asked about the breakaway competition that City originally pledged to take part in, although he agreed with Patrick Bamford’s comments that it is a pity that racism in football does not cause the uprising that Super League announcement did.
Here is a summary of what he had to say at his press conference.
Pep Guardiola does not understand the need for Champions League reform Pool / Getty Images
“We have no responsibility,” he told reporters (via MEN). “We have to ask UEFA, FIFA to extend the year. We have 365 days, maybe we can find 400 days a year. I do not know, honestly.
“If they decide ten more matches, then ten more matches. The show must continue. My goal is to prepare the players. If the World Cup plays 56 teams, they play 56 teams.
“I’m not an expert in the format. The people who produce the calendar to bring back the players, they do the opposite because it’s their business. I’m not the guy who tells them. Premier League, UEFA, FIFA, we give our opinion, after that, we can do nothing. “
Kevin De Bruyne has struggled with injuries this season IAN WALTON / Getty Images
“Of course there will be more injuries,” he said. “These guys end an incredibly tough season for many reasons, a six-day break then goes to the national team. National managers want them to train because they want to prepare and do a good competition.
“When they are done, they have ten, 15 days left for pre-season trips to New York or Asia. Then Community Shield if we win the Premier League.”
The Super League collapsed days after it was announced Visionhaus / Getty Images
“The chapter is over, we just focus again, every club makes an honest statement,” he said. “Now we move on, learn from it, you have to change something in the future.
“I’m sure we could do more, racism and many other issues in society as human rights could be improved. People show values in many cases, sometimes we react to a football issue differently than human rights, better societies, sometimes we are not so engaged that we are sometimes in football. “
Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne could both play on Sunday | Visionhaus / Getty Images
“The quality of their players is extraordinary, for the last five, ten years Tottenham have always been a team we look at,” he added. “Of course it is a final. Once we are there, every player wants to win and we are no exception.
“Both [ready], they trained today. Today was the first training session [for Aguero] in two weeks. Tomorrow we have the last training and we decide. “
