In a bold and controversial move, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has cancelled his team’s training session scheduled for Monday, just hours before they are set to face Real Madrid in a must-win Champions League second leg.
Pep Defends Cancelling Training: “Players Need Rest, Not Drills”
Trailing 3-0 from the first leg in Spain, City requires a historic miracle at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday to avoid elimination. However, rather than drilling tactics on the pitch, Guardiola ordered his squad to rest.
Speaking to the press on Monday, the Catalan boss explained his reasoning. He cited the grueling travel schedule following their 1-1 draw with West Ham on Sunday, a match he watched from the stands due to suspension.
“We were in Madrid, late in the hotel, come back in the morning, no training,” Guardiola said.
“Yesterday we came back at two or three in the morning. Today, in the modern day, training doesn’t improve a lot.
I have done it two or three times this season. Sometimes we train or stay at home. We know each other well.”
While the decision prioritizes player recovery, it initially created a problem with UEFA regulations.
Article 79 of the governing body’s rules mandates that clubs must open their pre-match training session to the media for at least 15 minutes.
City’s cancellation meant broadcasters were facing a blank screen. However, the club has found a workaround.
According to the Manchester Evening News, City will send 15 minutes of footage from their Sunday recovery session to UEFA.
This allows media outlets to access the required content without the players having to train on their day off.
Midfielder Bernardo Silva backed his manager’s unconventional approach. “We’ve done it in the past plenty of times,” Silva admitted.
“With all the trips that we had this week, I think he just thought that it would be best for us to sleep better, to stay at home one more day, and come back tomorrow stronger.”
City will now hold a single training session on Tuesday before facing the 15-time European champions.
Following the Real Madrid showdown, their attention will immediately shift to the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal on March 22.
