Bernardo Silva’s 79th-minute strike kept the holders on track for a double, although Guardiola questioned why City’s semi-final with Coventry could not be played on Sunday and Manchester United’s against Coventry on Saturday instead.

Pep Guardiola criticized the scheduling of Manchester City’s FA Cup semi-final, which came 72 hours after the team’s “punch in the face” loss to Real Madrid in a penalty shootout after extra time in the Champions League.

Bernardo Silva’s 79th-minute strike kept the holders on track for a double, although Guardiola questioned why City’s semi-final with Coventry could not be played on Sunday and Manchester United’s against Coventry on Saturday instead.

“I’m ecstatic to be playing in the FA Cup semi-final. “I’d love to be in the Champions League quarterfinals, but I don’t understand,” Guardiola remarked.

“I’m concerned about the athletes’ health. I’m not sure how we survived today. What they accomplished today is one of the best things I’ve seen from a group of players.

“People can’t believe how humiliating it is to be eliminated from the Champions League in this manner. Why not give us an extra day to arrive on Sunday because Coventry and United did not play in the middle of the week? For broadcasters? OK.”

While the BBC, which televised the match, and the Football Association agreed on the scheduling, the City manager stated that a collision between the Champions League and the Carabao Cup next season may compel him to field an XI from City’s elite development squad (EDS).

“When we play in the Champions League – hopefully, we will qualify – it is the same week as the Carabao Cup.” How will we play? Will we face EDS in the Carabao Cup? Following the upcoming season, we will compete in the Club World Cup.

“We are really happy, wealthy, and prestigious. But how many days off do I give the players? Take two weeks vacation before resuming the season. “It is unsustainable.”

Guardiola stated that weariness caused his players to underperform against Chelsea, using his captain, Kyle Walker, as an example. “I said to them ‘don’t fight against your feelings – if you’re sad and disappointed it’s fine [after Real reverse],'” Guardiola told the press.

“But once you’re here, give your all. They did it. [Manuel] Akanji, Rodri, and Kevin [DeBruyne]. Kyle was sidelined for four weeks, but he played 120 minutes on Wednesday and expressed a desire to return. Play well? No, but he was present. And that’s enough.

Mauricio Pochettino lamented Chelsea’s wastefulness. “We had to be clinical and we didn’t do that today,” he went on to say.