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- Man City should 'definitely' play Bournemouth later in week, Guardiola insists
Man City should 'definitely' play Bournemouth later in week, Guardiola insists
Pep Guardiola is baffled by the decision not to move Manchester City's Premier League match against Bournemouth to later next week.
Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City's Premier League game against Bournemouth should "definitely" be played later in the week, due to their FA Cup final commitments.
The Citizens will appear in their third successive FA Cup showpiece when they face Crystal Palace at Wembley on Saturday, and are looking to regain the trophy having lost out to Manchester United 12 months ago.
Guardiola's side then switch their focus back to the Premier League three days later, as they welcome Conference League-chasing Bournemouth to the Etihad Stadium.
City will be looking to win their game in hand and reclaim their place in the top five, having dropped out following victories for Chelsea and Aston Villa on Friday, over Manchester United and Tottenham respectively.
The Bournemouth match was rescheduled for Tuesday to avoid a clash with the all-English Europa League final showdown between United and Spurs the following day.
Yet, Guardiola cannot understand why there was not a greater willingness to push his side's fixture back in the same way the Red Devils' and Tottenham's games were brought forward two days.
"Definitely," the Spaniard replied, when asked if he would have preferred to play Bournemouth on Wednesday or Thursday next week.
"Tottenham play against Aston Villa on Friday [because of] the Europa League final, yes? Good decision. Honestly, I am not making irony or being sarcastic, the Premier League made a good decision, very good.
"We have been fighting against this situation for nine years - every single season. Nothing [happens]. [We are told] 'That is the deal, go'.
"We are going to play Tuesday night against an intense, physical, direct and powerful team in the Premier League like Bournemouth, who are playing to qualify for the Conference League. We have to deal with that.
"What I am saying, they are playing Aston Villa-Tottenham on a Friday night. That is what they should do when it is possible. It doesn't change much for us playing a Tuesday or Wednesday, but they decide, and we will play here on Tuesday with our people."
