
Pep Guardiola says he doesn’t ‘understand’ Manchester City’s fixture schedule – but is beyond fighting it.
Premier League leaders City take on Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday, just over 72 hours before they face Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final.
Real are in La Liga action against Getafe on Saturday and therefore have an extra day off.
“It is what it is,” Guardiola said.
The Spaniard added: “I can’t understand him but I’m not going to fight him anymore.
“I don’t understand but we have to adapt.”
Sunday’s trip to Merseyside is a crucial game at both ends of the Premier League, with City looking to maintain their lead over Arsenal at the top and 17th-placed Everton battling to avoid relegation.
City drew 1-1 with Real in the first leg of their semi-final on Tuesday and with a place in the Champions League final hanging in the balance next week, Guardiola says the focus is firmly on Sean Dyche’s Toffees clash.
“My thinking is just Everton – no more than that,” he said.
“It’s been 11 months of work for the Premier League. We don’t have much time to [prepare for] Madrid because we play on Sunday – thank you very much – but it’s a real, real priority, Goodison Park.”