During today’s press conference ahead of the Manchester Derby, Pep Guardiola offered his take on the upcoming international break.
Pep Guardiola understands players need to go on the next international break but that doesn’t necessarily mean he agrees with it. The Catalan manager believes that the global pandemic should keep the players from taking these traveling risks. We are far from over with this crisis and Pep considers making them do these trips endangers more people. However, he also understands that the world of football needs to remain active in order to stay alive.
Regardless of what he thinks, the players will go with their national teams and get no rest. The March international break is traditionally taxing on many players and clubs after it’s over. Manchester City’s current winning streak could be over if any of the key players get injured during this trip with their national teams. That’s exactly why Guardiola is complaining about the possibility of preventing his players from leaving.
Pep’s full statement on the international break.
As per Manchester Evening News, this is what Guardiola said: “We want to let them go to the national teams. I know how important it is, I will never say don’t do to play for your country to prepare for European Cup or American Cup or whatever. But it’s no sense, going and after no training for ten days, then ten more days or one week when we play for the league, and just incase we go through in the Champions League and we are without the players.
“They are not going to fly, for sure. If UEFA or FIFA make something special, we will follow protocols in a month. No restaurants, people at home, here, home, here, home. In the bubble, tests every two days, after the league, we won’t know what will happen with the red zones. If they are 20 days without competitions when we play every three days they will not travel. I am sure all the biggest statements in UEFA and FIFA they will understand this argument.”
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