Pep Guardiola preferred to look on the positive side of his Manchester City team’s punishing schedule - but still made his point about the TV broadcasters not taking enough account of teams’ schedules. The Blues boss OK’d a decision to fly straight to London - and train at Millwall’s The Den ground - after the midweek Champions League draw with Atletico Madrid.
But City still head into Saturday's FA Cup semi-final with Liverpool at a distinct disadvantage, having had just three days since a tough, tight game against Atletico Madrid, with travel on top. His team face a Liverpool side who had a home game against much easier opponents in Benfica and were able to rest seven key players after establishing a 3-1 lead from the away leg.
Guardiola was offered the chance to get excuses in early but preferred to see the fact that City are in the FA Cup semi-final, as well as the last four of the Champions League and being top of the Premier League, as a major plus rather than a gruelling ask. He said: "It happens for one reason – cos we’re fighting for all the titles – that is good news, I’m saying that with a big smile, it's not that I am grumpy.
