Pep Guardiola, whose side are currently fourth in table, revealed City asked the Premier League to push the Bournemouth game back by 24 hours - but were met with a firm refusal
Pep Guardiola has criticised the Premier League
Pep Guardiola has criticised the Premier League(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Pep Guardiola has accused the Premier League of jeopardising Manchester City's chance of qualifying for the Champions League.
City play Crystal Palace in Saturday's FA Cup final, then host Bournemouth 72 hours later in a must-win game to maintain their hopes of securing a top five place and a Champions League spot.
Guardiola, whose side are currently fourth in table, revealed City asked the Premier League to push the Bournemouth game back by 24 hours - but were met with a firm refusal.
That is despite the Premier League bringing forward Tottenham's visit to Aston Villa to Friday night, to ensure they have the same recovery time as Europa League final opponents Manchester United.
Guardiola said: "Tottenham play against Aston Villa on Friday, because of the Europa League final. Good decision - and I'm not being ironic or sarcastic. The Premier League made a good decision.
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"We have played all the time in quarter-finals and semi-finals on a Wednesday away and then played games on a Saturday. This season we played on Sunday, when we didn't need the extra day.
"I would prefer to play on Wednesday - definitely. We've been fighting against this situation every single season for nine years. We're going to play on Tuesday night, against an intense, physical and powerful team.
“Bournemouth are playing for the Europa League, and we have to deal with that. Tottenham play on Friday - and this is what we should do. It doesn't change much to play Wednesday instead of Tuesday, but they [the Premier League] decide."
Guardiola faces Oliver Glasner this weekend
Guardiola faces Oliver Glasner this weekend(Image: Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Guardiola refused to rule out the possibility of midfielder Rodri making a shock return to the City squad tomorrow. Ballon d'Or winner Rodri has been out since September with an ACL injury which required surgery and months of rehabilitation.
But Guardiola said: "I'm waiting on the doctors. When they tell me he's ready, he's going to start. We don't want to take a risk and make a setback."
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