Pep Guardiola admitted that his packed schedule with Manchester City is more demanding than it is exciting as his side host Borussia Dortmund just four days after beating Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday.
City are amongst the elite clubs across Europe to have the possibility of playing close to 70 games across the season and as we enter November, Guardiola’s side have played 15 before Wednesday’s match in just 11 weeks.
The schedule, which has seen an increase in player injuries through fixture inflation, will not stop for players due to the 2026 World Cup starting a matter of weeks after the final game of the Premier League season.
“In this country, November, December, January, February is wow,” Guardiola said. “I don't know if excited is the right word but it's demanding, that's for sure. But one decade I'm here, I've lived many, many times this situation.
"In Germany, France, all the people in the Champions League try to play on Friday to have more [days rest], and here is completely the opposite. If I don't like, I wouldn't train in England, I'd go to Germany, France, just in case they want me."
"We will train tomorrow [Wednesday] morning. I've done it a few times. Not a lot, but a few times. Sometimes I prefer it. It was such a demanding game against Bournemouth and I prefer to stay at home and tomorrow morning we train."
Guardiola: Haaland's goals help but he also has an eye for the team
If there is one man that Borussia Dortmund should try to suppress on Wednesday, it is their former striker, Erling Haaland, who has scored 26 goals for club and country this season.
The Norway international was appointed into City’s captaincy group at the start of the season and for reasons beyond his goalscoring, says Guardiola.
“I know he wants to score, I know his impact, his goals help but I have the feeling he always has an eye on what is best for the team,” the City manager said.
“And when that happens, it's difficult to find world class players who have this type of ability, talent, generosity, kindness; Erling is like that. It was a surprise, normally a striker is just thinking goals, goals, goals.
"Of course he has to score, it's the best way to help, that is obvious. But that's why I decided because that guy signed a contract for 10 years, so as much as he's involved in many things it will be better for him and the club.”