Bernardo Silva Criticizes Premier League Scheduling
Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva has expressed concerns about the scheduling of Premier League matches, stating that his team faced a disadvantage against Arsenal.
In a dramatic finish at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, Gabriel Martinelli scored in stoppage time to secure a 1-1 draw for Arsenal.
Manchester City had only 66 hours to prepare for this crucial match following their 2-0 victory over Napoli in the Champions League on Thursday, while Arsenal had a more favorable schedule, having won 2-0 against Athletic Bilbao the previous Tuesday.
"It is not fair to play one of these games under such circumstances. It is just not right," Silva commented.
He added, "The reality is we cannot enter one of the most important games of the season with such a disadvantage in terms of rest. I wasn’t feeling in perfect condition to play, and those who have not experienced high-level competition may not understand how crucial it is to be at your best for games like this."
City's manager, Pep Guardiola, also noted that his players were "incredibly tired" during the match against Arsenal. Earlier in January, he highlighted that English teams often face scheduling challenges in Europe, stating that they are subjected to the "toughest schedules for the European teams during crucial stages."
Silva, who made 62 appearances for both City and Portugal last season, remarked, "I don’t think they are trying to make us lose a game. It could happen to Arsenal or Liverpool in a few months. However, when it comes to matches like Arsenal versus City, or City versus Liverpool, or Liverpool versus Arsenal, there needs to be a bit of common sense and understanding of these situations."