Manchester City defeated Chelsea 1-0 on Saturday to reach their second consecutive FA Cup final, but Pep Guardiola was critical of the scheduling. City played in the Champions League on Wednesday, losing in penalty kicks to Real Madrid after 120 minutes.
“I’m incredibly happy to play the semi-final of the FA Cup. I love to be in the quarter-final of the Champions League but I don’t understand,” Guardiola said. “It’s for the health of the players [my concern]. I don’t understand how we survived today. What they have done today is one of the greatest things I have seen from a group of players.
“People cannot imagine what a punch in the face to be out of the Champions League in the way we are out. Why not give us one more day to arrive on Sunday because Coventry and United didn’t play in midweek. For broadcasters? OK.”