Bernardo Silva (31) has branded Manchester City’s Premier League scheduling “unfair” after their 1-1 draw with Arsenal, arguing his side were denied the proper recovery time for one of the seaso...
Bernardo Silva (31) has branded Manchester City’s Premier League scheduling “unfair” after their 1-1 draw with Arsenal, arguing his side were denied the proper recovery time for one of the season’s most significant fixtures.
City kicked off at the Emirates just 66 hours after completing a gruelling Champions League victory over Napoli on Thursday night. Arsenal, by contrast, had two additional days to prepare following their European opener against Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday.
The gap in recovery time, Silva told Sky Sports, was unacceptable at this level. “The reality is, we cannot come into one of the most important games of the season with such a disadvantage. It is not fair. They had five days, and we had two and a half. It’s just not right.”
Erling Haaland’s first-half strike appeared to have given Pep Guardiola’s unchanged side all three points before Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time equaliser rescued Arsenal. But Silva, visibly frustrated, insisted the scheduling left City below their peak condition.
“I wasn’t feeling perfect to play like this,” he said. “People who haven’t played at the highest level don’t understand what it demands. With travel, you need at least one more day. Give us that and it’s an even game.”
The Portuguese midfielder also highlighted the injury sustained by City defender Abdukodir Khusanov as further evidence of the strain caused by condensed fixtures.
Manchester City will next face Huddersfield Town in the EFL Cup before a home game against Burnley in the Premier League.
GFN | Finn Entwistle
Category: General Sports
