Topics: Manchester City, Bernardo Silva, FA Cup, Chelsea, Pep Guardiola
Bernardo Silva lost it in his post-match interview after Manchester City’s 1-0 win over Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday.
The Portugal star netted the game’s only goal as City edged past Chelsea to reach their second FA Cup final in successive seasons and keep their hopes of a double alive.
City played the FA Cup encounter just three days after having been eliminated from the Champions League on penalties by Real Madrid.
And after the game, Bernardo echoed his manager Pep Guardiola’s sentiments by questioning the FA’s decision to schedule City’s game against Chelsea on Saturday rather than Sunday.
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"Today we didn't play on a level field because the FA didn't give us a chance to recover. Which in my opinion is not reasonable at all," Bernardo insisted.
"I'm just saying because we won. If we didn't win, I wouldn't say because I don't like to find excuses. But today I don't think it's acceptable we have to play.
"It's too much. Today was too much. We played 120 minutes less than three days ago, and we had to play against a team that didn't travel because they're from London. And they had five days waiting for us and thinking about our game.
"There's no excuse for the game to not be tomorrow. It's not acceptable. For all of us as a team that's how we feel."
Bernardo added that while the scheduling was having a negative effect on players’ health, he was unconvinced the situation would improve.
"It looks like they don't care because we've said it many times. It's not about wanting to be favourites, it's about health,” Bernardo continued.
"I played 90 minutes today. Me, Kevin, Phil. I wasn't fine at all. I wasn't fine. I'll be honest, I was feeling my left hamstring and my right calf. This is not fair for Man City, for us.
"When I say Man City, maybe other clubs went through it, this is just our personal experience. They have to pay more attention to these details.
“We represent England in these European competitions and it's important for England for this country for other clubs to qualify for the Champions League, Europa League, Conference League. So they need to pay more attention."
