In 2019, Manchester City signed midfielder Rodri from Atletico Madrid for a record-breaking £62.8m transfer fee. Now 27 years old, Rodri has been instrumental in the team’s pursuit of a second successive Treble this season, playing in 41 matches. However, with eight games scheduled across three competitions in April alone and having played over 3,000 minutes this season, Rodri recognizes the need for rest during the season run-in.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is aware of the challenges posed by fixture congestion, which has affected players across Europe as they struggle to maintain peak performance levels due to the demanding schedule. Both Fifa and Fifpro have called for better protection against excessive fixture congestion as tournaments such as the Club World Cup and expanded Champions League continue to add to players’ workload. As the season progresses, it will be crucial for teams like Manchester City to carefully manage their players’ fitness to achieve success on all fronts.
