Manchester City’s Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva has expressed his frustration with the demanding schedule that football players are subjected to, describing it as “absolutely absurd”. With Manchester City facing a congested fixture list, Silva highlighted the challenges of playing multiple games a week, which hampers player recovery and allows for minimal family time. The midfielder emphasized that the schedule is “completely crazy,” pointing out that his team could potentially play every three days for months if they continue to progress in all competitions.
Silva’s concerns are echoed by other top players and managers, including Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, who worry about the impact of excessive fatigue on player welfare and performance. The UEFA Champions League’s new format, which requires teams to play eight group stage matches followed by an additional play-off round, has significantly increased the number of games players have to participate in. This has led to concerns about the physical and mental health of players, with some warning that the standard of the sport could suffer if the schedule isn’t managed more effectively.
Silva’s comments come as Manchester City faces a challenging run of fixtures, including a European away game and multiple domestic matches. The team’s schedule is set to become even more intense, with Silva expressing concerns about the lack of time for rest and recovery. This sentiment is shared by other players and managers, who argue that the football calendar needs to be reevaluated to prioritize player welfare and ensure the long-term sustainability of the sport.
