Manchester City ‘disappointed’ by scheduling of crunch double-header with Real Madrid and Chelsea

New reports have revealed that Premier League champions Manchester City were left ‘disappointed’ by the scheduling of one of their biggest fixtures in April.

Pep Guardiola and his players will close out a challenging March schedule with a meeting against fellow Premier League title challengers Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium. However, an equally as difficult April line-up awaits.

With eight games in just 25 days, Manchester City will make progress across their Premier League fixtures, as well as their pursuit of retaining their FA Cup and UEFA Champions League titles.

The reigning Champions of the Treble have been matched against European kings Real Madrid, as well as Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea in the Champions League and Cup respectively, while the scheduling of the contests have caused frustration within the camp.

That is according to the information of ESPN’s Rob Dawson, who reports that Manchester City have been left ‘disappointed’ with the scheduling of their Emirates FA Cup semi-final clash against Chelsea at Wembley Stadium in April.

It is reported that those at City initially believed the game against Mauricio Pochettino’s side would be played on Sunday 21 April, allowing for four days of recovery after their UEFA Champions League quarter-final second-leg clash with Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium.

However, Pep Guardiola will instead have just three days after their European meeting, with the Football Association and relevant broadcasters allocating the clash between City and Chelsea to Saturday 20 April.

Interestingly, ESPN have also revealed that the other semi-finalists Manchester United and Coventry initially expected to play on the Saturday, instead being granted the Sunday slot despite both teams being absent from European competition.

As well as Manchester City’s involvement in other competitions in April, a meeting at home to Aston Villa will be followed up by a trip to Crystal Palace to begin the month – two teams who have already taken points from Pep Guardiola’s side.

Other remaining fixtures include a home meeting against Luton Town, as well as consecutive away trips to Brighton & Hove Albion on a Thursday night, and Nottingham Forest the following weekend on Sunday 28 April.

Much to the annoyance of Manchester City supporters and their plans for either match, it has also been warned that both games could yet be rearranged depending on the club’s UEFA Champions League semi-final fate.