ORLANDO, Fla. – Bernardo Silva dismissed the notion that Manchester City’s early exit from the FIFA Club World Cup could be a hidden advantage, stating, “no one is looking for more time off.”
City was eliminated in the round of 16 by Al Hilal on Monday following a thrilling match in Orlando.
This loss means that Pep Guardiola and his squad will return home two weeks ahead of the final on July 13 in New York.
If City had progressed further, they would have had just four weeks to get ready for the Premier League’s start on August 16.
While City now has a longer break, Silva emphasized that after having just five days off between last season’s conclusion and the Club World Cup, along with their participation in the Nations League with Portugal, the players aren’t keen on additional time off.
“No one wanted to lose, and no one wanted extra vacation,” Silva remarked.
“We’re quite accustomed to fewer holidays due to our busy schedules. However, we take competitions seriously and had high hopes for this Club World Cup; we aimed to win it.”
When comparing this exit to that of the Champions League, the 30-year-old acknowledged, “Yeah, a bit, yeah.”
The team is set to return to Manchester from their training base in Boca Raton, Florida, on Tuesday.
Silva noted that players remain uncertain about their time off, but they are committed to being prepared for their Premier League opener against Wolves on August 16th.
“I don’t know the schedule yet,” he said.
“As we start the Premier League, we’re focused not just on resting, but on gearing up for the season. It’s the manager’s role to prepare us over the next few weeks, but we are committed to readying ourselves for the new season.”
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer fans, as it highlights the challenges elite teams face when juggling multiple competitions. An early exit could fuel Manchester City’s drive to dominate the Premier League, making every match pivotal for fans eager for thrilling performances.
