Manchester City is feeling exasperated after the Premier League informed them they must play three matches within a span of seven days as they pursue two trophies during the intense climax of the season.
Pep Guardiola’s team is still in the race for the Premier League title and the FA Cup as they enter the final month of the season.
However, sources have told ESPN that club officials are frustrated about the necessity of managing a fixture congestion in the last two weeks.
City’s schedule includes a match against Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium on May 13, followed by the FA Cup final against Chelsea on May 16.
Following the FA Cup final, Guardiola’s side will travel to the Vitality Stadium to take on Bournemouth on May 19, before concluding the season with a home match against Aston Villa on May 24.
Reports indicate that City proposed various options to the Premier League regarding the scheduling of these games, but discussions with the league were not fruitful.
The club is particularly dissatisfied with the timing of the matches against Burnley and Crystal Palace.
Sources claim that City executives believed they should have been permitted to face Palace during the week starting April 20, instead of being assigned to play Burnley.
City’s argument is that it would have been more feasible to schedule the Palace game when they had limited European competition commitments.
The club asserts they could have played Burnley, who are not competing in Europe, during a week when Palace had commitments in the UEFA Conference League.
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According to sources, City is disappointed that the Premier League took almost three months to reschedule the Palace match, despite being aware since February 4—when City secured their spot in the Carabao Cup final—that the fixture would need to be rescheduled.
Arsenal, the other finalist in the Carabao Cup, managed to play their rearranged fixture—a 2-2 draw with Wolves at Molineux—on February 18, despite that week being set aside for European knockout matches.
City maintains that the Premier League’s principle of rescheduling matches at the earliest opportunity has not been adhered to.
Currently, Guardiola’s squad is trailing Arsenal by three points but has a game in hand.
Arsenal, who will host Fulham at the Emirates on Saturday, could extend their lead to six points before City plays again against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday.
Upcoming Fixtures for Manchester City
May 4: Everton (a)
May 9: Brentford (h)
May 13: Crystal Palace (h)
May 16: Chelsea (Wembley, FA Cup Final)
May 19: Bournemouth (a)
May 24: Aston Villa (h)