Bernardo Silva’s Frustration Over Scheduling Inequities
In a recent post-match interview, Bernardo Silva, midfielder for Manchester City, expressed his frustration regarding what he perceives as an inequitable situation after City’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal. He criticized football’s regulatory bodies for their apparent disregard of player welfare, suggesting they lack the “common sense and respect” needed to manage scheduling around such crucial fixtures.
Match Context and Recovery Time
The Premier League showdown took place at Arsenal’s home ground, the Emirates Stadium, a mere 66 hours post-City’s Champions League victory over Napoli. In contrast, Arsenal had a two-day head start in their European campaign against Athletic Club, allowing them substantially more recovery time before this pivotal match.
Silva particularly noted that while Arsenal players had five days to recuperate, his team was left with just two and a half days, which he deemed unacceptable for a match of this magnitude. He stated,
“The reality is we cannot come into one of the most important games of the season with such a disadvantage in terms of rest. It is simply not fair.”
Impact on Player Fitness
The draw saw Erling Haaland give City an early lead, which was later canceled out by Gabriel Martinelli, who scored during the dying moments of stoppage time. Silva highlighted the toll such rapid match scheduling takes on player fitness, mentioning the risk of injuries, exemplified by the case of his teammate Abdukodir Khusanov.
He further emphasized that while teams are accustomed to a demanding schedule, the scheduling for marquee fixtures needs to be handled with greater care.
“We are used to playing 60 games a season,”
he said, but insisted,
“What we ask for is common sense because this is one of the biggest games of the season.”
Calls for Change
Silva indicated that conversations with the authorities regarding these issues have been met with indifference, leaving players feeling unheard.
“They don’t listen to us. We would like to change something, but nothing has changed,”
he lamented. This sentiment aims not only at the betterment of athlete welfare but also at enhancing the respect afforded to clubs and fans alike during such competitive engagements.
Current League Standings
As the Premier League progresses, Arsenal finds itself five points behind Liverpool while City trails by eight points, underscoring the significance of fair scheduling in a league carried by fierce competition.
