Featured Image Credit: BBC
Topics: Pep Guardiola, Manchester City, FA Cup, Chelsea, Football
Marcus Chan
Topics: Pep Guardiola, Manchester City, FA Cup, Chelsea, Football
Pep Guardiola was fuming during his post-match interview after Manchester City beat Chelsea.
The reigning champions of England got the better of the Stamford Bridge club in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.
In what was a closely fought encounter, Bernardo Silva scored the winner in the 84th minute to send City through to another FA Cup final.
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On the back of their victory, City will await the winner of Sunday’s second semi-final tie between Manchester United and Coventry City.
However, Guardiola was not happy during his post-match interview as the Spaniard vented his frustrations over the scheduling of the match.
He began: “It's unacceptable to let us play today. It's impossible, for the health of the players. It's not normal. It's unacceptable. 120 minutes, the emotions of Madrid, the way we lose, honestly. I know this country is special [with the FA Cup] but it's for the health of the players. I don't understand how we survived today.
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“Do you think demanding will change something? The only power I have I say here. Why don't we play tomorrow. Chelsea, Manchester United, Coventry didn't play midweek.
“I thought a lot. I remember two seasons ago we had Dortmund on Wednesday - and Liverpool on Saturday [in the FA Cup semi]. They were 3-0 up at half-time. They destroyed us.”
Guardiola continued: “Mentally so tough to recover. Rodri, the way he played today, Kyle, who was injured for a few weeks, I don't understand how they survived.
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“We want to play football. We love to play football but it's too much. We defend our trophy. We'll be here. They killed us on the transition. The game was so tight. [I thought] extra time, no please.
“Don't fight against your feelings. If you're sad you're sad. If you're disappointed you're disappointed. I'm sad. I'm so down. We played an exceptional game. I said if you're sad play with your sadness.”
Speaking on BBC One, former City and Chelsea star Frank Lampard said: “I loved playing in so many competitions throughout the season, loved it. There were days where I loved it but I still felt leggy.
“Fortunately when you play in top teams then you will get a team-mate that digs you out with a goal, like Bernardo Silva today or Kevin de Bruyne in midweek.”