Man City boss Pep Guardiola hits out at scheduling ahead of crucial Real Madrid clash – plus latest on Erling Haaland fitness after striker missed Leeds clash with knock

Pep Guardiola claimed that Manchester City will be placed at a disadvantage when they go to Real Madrid in the Champions League next week.

City enjoyed two free midweeks after finishing in the top eight of the competition’s league format with Guardiola affording his players and staff three days away to recharge on both occasions.

But the 55-year-old is unhappy at the scheduling of their FA Cup tie at Newcastle next weekend, broadcast on TNT Sports and set for an 8pm kick-off on Saturday.

City go to the Bernabeu on Wednesday March 11 and will have 94 hours between the two matches, yet Guardiola has found fault in the scheduling.

‘Newcastle at 8pm – thank you so much for that time to go better to Madrid with less recovery,’ the City boss said.

‘It’s different arriving at 7-8pm to Manchester to recover than arriving at 1-2am. It’s different.

‘I know all the teams in the FA Cup play at 3pm, at 3pm, at 3pm. OK, we play at 8pm. Fatigue, you know, the details make a difference. Like a corner, like a free-kick, like a throw-in, like details.

‘We have less. And after that, arriving on time, you have to travel again [to Madrid]. So we have to go there. It is what it is.’

Meanwhile, Erling Haaland is confident he can prove his fitness ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Nottingham Forest.

Haaland missed the 1-0 win at Leeds United after suffering a knock in training but believes he can be available.