- Silva’s City could play as many as 68 games this season given recent date changes
- The competitions have been extended and the stars will also go on international missions
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Bernardo Silva has criticised the scheduling of top-level players while they are on international duty with Portugal.
Silva is preparing to play his sixth game of the season when Portugal take on Scotland on Sunday, although the schedule will only speed up with the approach of European competition.
In this year’s Champions League, teams will play eight matches instead of six in the league phase, while a play-off round has also been added prior to the round of 16.
At international level, teams have been competing in the Nations League with three international breaks scheduled before Christmas.
Silva, speaking with RecordHe spoke about the impact the busy schedule has had on him and explained the difficulties faced by some of the top players.
Bernardo Silva has become the latest high-profile name to take the football calendar by storm.
Silva is preparing to play his sixth game of the season with the Portuguese national team
Manchester City could play 68 games this season if they reach the final of all competitions
“The schedule is crazy,” he began. “We just got the news that we only have one day off before the English League Cup match.
“We’ll probably play every three days for months. It’s been absolutely absurd. In the Champions League, if you don’t qualify for the last 16, you still have to play two more games.
“It’s true that the squads are bigger, but I’m not going to say it’s easy. It hasn’t been easy. I spend very little time with my family and friends. The amount of games we’re subjected to is absolutely absurd.”
City will also take part in the revamped Club World Cup this summer, meaning their campaign could end on July 13.
In total, if they were to reach the final of each competition, Pep Guardiola’s team could play 68 games this campaign, with players who also play at international level.
Several high-profile names have previously spoken out about the schedule, including Jurgen Klopp and Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Maheta Molango.
Kevin De Bruyne joined his teammate in criticising the schedule, blaming UEFA and FIFA
Silva’s teammate Kevin De Bruyne has also been critical of the schedule while on international duty with Belgium.
“The problem is that UEFA and FIFA are making extra matches,” he said this week.
De Bruyne’s Belgium will face Israel and France during the current international break.
