Guardiola Angry After Bringing Man City To FA Cup Final Get Rid Of Chelsea

Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva is the only scorer to give the team a 1-0 win over Chelsea.

JAKARTA - Manchester City narrowly won 1-0 over Chelsea in the FA Cup semifinal match at Wembley Stadium, Saturday, April 20, 2024 evening WIB. Even so, Pep Guardiola's manager was angry after passing Man City to face Manchester United or Coventry City.

Guardiola denounced the busy schedule that Man City had to play. Although previously he received a close schedule as a consequence of Man City's survival in three different competitions.

However, after Man City failed to fulfill its treble ambition after being knocked out in the Champions League, Guardiola also gave off for some.

He strongly condemned the FA Cup schedule which made the team unable to recover optimally

Man City had to play 120 minutes before ending the Champions League quarter-final on penalties, Wednesday local time or Thursday, April 18, 2024 in the morning WIB. Only three days later, The Cityzens had to compete again against Chelsea.

As a result, the Man City players were exhausted. Midfielder Rodri once asked not to be played in a match because he wanted to rest with Guardiola.

Furthermore, striker Erling Haaland who could not appear in the match against Chelsea due to a muscle injury.

According to Guardiola, Haaland's injury could not be separated from fatigue due to playing a game on a busy schedule. Even against Madrid Haaland has been withdrawn so he doesn't play full.

"This is unacceptable and abnormal because we are playing right now. Obviously this is impossible for the health of the players," said Guardiola.

"This is hard to accept. We played 120 minutes against Madrid. Honestly, how we lost is indeed emotional. I know the FA Cup is very special in this country. The problem is, it concerns the health of players. I don't understand how my players can survive," he said.

Guardiola questioned Man City's schedule, which was held earlier than any other semifinal match that brought Manchester United together against Coventry.

Both teams did not play midweek matches or midweek. But they instead played later. Meanwhile, Man City, who played the match in the middle of the week, had to play early.

"I think the players are in one of the biggest matches I've ever seen after playing on Wednesday [local time]," Guardiola said again.

"I just want to protect the players. That's a natural thing. I don't ask to be privileged," he said.

In the semifinal match, Man City had to work hard before overcoming Chelsea's resistance. Chelsea even had control of the game in the early minutes of the match.

The forward Nicolas Jackson had already threatened the Man City goal in the eighth minute. But his shot was saved by goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.

On the other hand, Man City, who lost Haaland, experienced a decline. There were no attackers who were clinical, so their attacks always ran aground in the Blues defense. The score was still 0-0 at halftime.

In the second half, Man City still did not show a revival. On the other hand, Chelsea has again threatened the reigning champion's goal.

Jackson again got two opportunities that could not be converted into goals. Likewise, former Man City players Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke failed to complete a good chance

When Man City came under pressure, they actually managed to take advantage of the opportunity to score.

Midfielder Bernardo Silva successfully broke into Chelsea's goal in the 84th minute. A goal was created when midfielder Kevin De Bruyne opened up space for his colleagues.

This situation was then used by Silva to beat goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic. His shot hit another player and changed direction slightly. Score 1-0 to Man City.

Left behind by goals, Chelsea are still trying to play attacking. Mauricio Pochettino's team had a chance through Mykhailo Mudryk. It's just that his shot soared.

The score has not changed and Man City is able to defend it until the end of the match. In the final, Man City meets one city rival, MU or Coventry.