Man City defender Manuel Akanji has raised concerns about the busy schedule ahead as they navigate through their toughest season yet, with the Champions League expanding and the Club World Cup looming next summer.
Since joining The Etihad two years ago, Swiss international Akanji has played a total of 127 matches for both club and country. Despite maintaining a perfect record this season with a 2-1 victory over Brentford, courtesy of an Erling Haaland brace, City faces a challenging week ahead.
With a Champions League clash against Inter Milan on Wednesday, a rematch of the 2023 final, followed by a crucial Premier League showdown with Arsenal on Sunday, City has a packed schedule with six games in just 18 days before the next international break.
Akanji expressed his thoughts on the increased complexity of the Champions League format, now featuring eight group games and potentially 10 with play-offs. He reminisced about the old format, believing it was better suited for the teams. The demanding pace of the season is set to continue until July, presenting a significant test for City and their players.
Manuel Akanji has raised concerns about the packed schedule as they enter what could be their most challenging season yet.
Manchester City is facing a grueling schedule with six games in just 18 days before the upcoming international break in October. The team is not only focused on the current season but also planning for the future. With potential fixtures like the Club World Cup final and the Community Shield, there seems to be no end in sight to the busy schedule.
Defender Akanji, 29, humorously mentioned that he may have to retire at 30 with the relentless schedule. However, behind the joke, there is a serious concern about player fatigue and potential injuries. While the players train hard and stay fit, there needs to be a balance to prevent physical exhaustion.
Despite the tough schedule, City’s players showed a gesture of kindness by sending flowers to Haaland’s box at The Etihad following the passing of his “Uncle” Ivar Eggja. It’s moments like these that show the camaraderie and sportsmanship in the football community.
Akanji mentioned that if the current fixture schedule persists, he may have to consider retiring at the age of 30. He emphasized the importance of teamwork and supporting each other.
At The Etihad, Yoane Wissa surprised everyone by scoring for Brentford just 22 seconds into the game. However, Erling Haaland quickly took the lead with two goals before halftime, bringing his total goals for the season to nine in four games.
