Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola joked about missing the nine-goal thriller between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich on Tuesday, April 28, as he chose instead to watch Stockport County face Port Vale ahead of his side’s Premier League clash against Everton. City are currently three points behind leaders Arsenal, with a game in hand in the title race.
Despite thrilling PSG-Bayern encounter, Guardiola was seen in light-hearted mood when explaining his decision to attend an English League One fixture rather than watch one of club football’s biggest European clashes, which ended in a dramatic 5-4 scoreline. Stockport lost the game 1-2.
Speaking to the media ahead of the Everton game, Guardiola was quoted by ESPN as saying: “The day before I saw the calendar, the PSG-Bayern game, and I said, ‘What a disaster game, the managers are not good, really s*** players!’ I am in love with English football and I went to see Stockport.”
The City boss, who appeared relaxed, also downplayed any frustration over fixture congestion as his side continue their push across multiple competitions. City face a demanding end to the season after Premier League matches against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth were rescheduled around their FA Cup final against Chelsea.
The rearrangements were necessary due to City’s progression in domestic cup competitions, but the updated schedule has left them with three matches in seven days between May 13 and May 19. Their season concludes with a home fixture against Aston Villa on May 24.
City were reportedly unhappy with the timing of the rescheduled fixtures, particularly the Crystal Palace match originally set for March, which they felt could have been moved earlier. However, Guardiola accepted the situation.
“It is what it is,” he said. “When we won the treble and quadruple, we always had this kind of calendar. Of course it could be better, but I’ve never expected help. We’ll go game by game. The broadcasters, Premier League, whoever decides. We will be there with 11 players plus people on the bench.”
City remain in the title race, trailing Arsenal by three points but holding a game in hand, having five matches left compared to Arsenal’s four. The gap could widen before they face Everton on Monday night, but Guardiola insisted the situation does not concern him.
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