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Alla Zakarian

23-10-2020 | 19:22 Football
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Pep Guardiola explains why Manchester City have Premier League disadvantage


Pep Guardiola says the 13 Premier League teams who are not competing in Europe this season have an advantage over the seven teams who are. City are one of four English teams competing in the Champions League. They have three-midweek fixtures in as many weeks before the November international break, and three immediately after. The same goes for the three clubs in the Europa League. Speaking ahead of the Premier League trip to West Ham Guardiola said playing in Europe will be a disadvantage this year. "All the teams playing in Europe have the same problem," he said, when asked how he picks a team with so many fixtures to manage. "The schedule is crazy for everyone. I don't know, I would like to answer you but three, four games in a row maybe I decide to use the same squad and other ones I make four or five changes. "Right now the day before I don't know my selection. We play tomorrow at 12.30, not much recovery. The guys train well and tonight we decide. There are niggles in some players, some coming back. Some come back immediately and others need time." Guardiola was pressed to expand on his thoughts on the advantages a side with a week to prepare for games has, but he accepted this is the price City have to pay if they want to be competing for titles. "Definitely [there is a disadvantage], this league is so difficult," he explained. "The guys who have seven, eight days between games have more time to prepare. On the other side we are competing for titles and this is how we have to live."
Source: MEN

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