Bernardo Silva has expressed his frustration with the demanding football schedule, citing the physical and mental stress it takes on players.
Manchester City are facing a congested fixture list, including two games in three days and Silva has spoken out about the impact on his personal life as well as the well-being of fellow players.
The Portuguese midfielder, who has already played five matches this season, will feature in his sixth game when Portugal takes on Scotland on Sunday, September 8.
Cristiano Ronaldo reached milestone of 900 career goals when he scored the second goal for Portugal in a 2-1 victory against Croatia on Thursday, September 5.
However, the schedule is set to intensify with the addition of European competitions, including the Champions League, which now features eight group stage matches instead of six, and a play-off round before the knockout phase.
Silva’s concerns are emphasized by the fact that Manchester City will play three games in eight days upon their return from international duty, including a crucial Champions League match against Inter Milan and a fierce Premier League battle with Arsenal.
To make matters worse, they will face Watford in the Carabao Cup just 49 hours after the Arsenal game, followed by a lunchtime match against Newcastle the next Saturday.
Bernardo Silva condemns congested football fixtures
Meanwhile, in an interview with Record, Silva voiced his discontent, stating: “I think there are two completely different issues here.”
“When the players complain, people say that players can’t complain about the life they have. And they’re right because we’re fulfilling a dream and we do what we do.”
“On the other hand, the schedule is completely crazy. We’ve just received the news that we only have one day off for the English League Cup game.”
“We play Arsenal, we rest for a day and then we have the game against Watford. And if we don’t get knocked out of any other competition, we’ll play every three days for months. It’s been absolutely absurd.”
“In the Champions League, if you don’t qualify for the round of 16 you still have to play two more games. It’s true that the squads are bigger, but I’m not going to say that it’s easy.”
The 30-year-old City midfielder also highlighted the personal sacrifices players must make, saying, “It hasn’t been easy. I spend very little time with my family and friends. The amount of games we’re subjected to is absurd.”
Kevin De Bruyne joins Silva in slamming absurd football fixture
While Manchester City have not officially commented on the matter, Silva’s words resonate with many in the football community who are calling for a more balanced and sustainable schedule.
The debate over the grueling football schedule has gained momentum, with fellow City teammate Kevin De Bruyne joining Bernardo Silva in speaking out against the excessive fixture list.
De Bruyne’s criticism echoes Silva’s sentiments, highlighting the physical and mental toll of the schedule on players.
De Bruyne, Silva’s Manchester City teammate, has been vocal about the issue while on international duty with Belgium, stating, “The problem is that UEFA and FIFA are making extra matches.”
The Belgium midfielder’s comments come as his team prepares to face Israel and France during the current international break.
He emphasized the challenges players face, saying, “We know there will only be three weeks between the Club World Cup final and the first day of the Premier League.”
“You have three weeks to take a vacation, and prepare to play another 80 games. They don’t care. It’s money that talks.”
The issue of the excessive football fixture list has been a long-standing concern, with prominent figures like Jurgen Klopp and Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Maheta Molango voicing their disapproval.
Despite the growing chorus of criticism, it appears that no concrete actions have been taken to address this problem.
Do you agree the schedule should be redressed to prioritize players’ welfare? Let us know your opinion in the comments box below.
