Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has a novel solution for his players to combat fatigue over their busy festive period – ‘get in the fridge’.
The Spanish boss has hinted at his irritation over his side’s packed fixture schedule over Christmas, which sees them play two games in less than 48 hours.
While he did not make a direct complaint to the media ahead of Saturday’s Premier League trip to Crystal Palace – LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on talkSPORT – he did speak metaphorically about the situation.
But, what he said was so metaphorical, that it just sounds downright bizarre.
“Go home, open the fridge and get inside for 48 hours,” he said, when asked if he’d have any special instructions for his players in their recovery.
“See you at the Etihad Stadium in two days. I’m not joking.”
Guardiola then added: “When I open the fridge to make an omelette maybe I talk with my players then, but apart from that, no way.”
Okay…
Man City found out this week that they will have to play two games in less than 48 hours following confirmation of the TV schedules.
They face Wolves away on December 27 in a 7:45pm kick off, and then host Sheffield United at 6pm on December 29.
Title rivals Liverpool, meanwhile, play Leicester City on Boxing Day and then have an extra day to prepare for their game against Wolves on December 29.
Guardiola is now resigned to the fact that’s just how it is in England, but his annoyance is less about having to play while other European leagues take a break over Christmas, it’s more about the impact a packed fixture list can have on his team.
Although, he did take a sly swipe at broadcasters for dictating when teams play.
“It is what it is, Since I came here it happened the same,” he said.
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- Crystal Palace vs Man City (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT
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“The concept is not about in this period. I love to play on Boxing Day and at winter when families and kids can go to the stadium and enjoy it.
“The problem is the system doesn’t protect the players. Another day we will have more recovery than the other ones.
“It is what it is. If we have to play tomorrow, we have to play tomorrow. We have to play, we’re going to play.
“The broadcasters are the bosses, it’s not about us. Maybe the broadcasters are fans of another club.”
