Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji has issued a stark warning about the impending fixture congestion that threatens to take its toll on the team. With an expanded Champions League and the Club World Cup on the horizon, City’s schedule is about to get even more grueling. Akanji, who has played an astonishing 127 times for club and country since joining City two years ago, knows firsthand the physical and mental demands of such a packed calendar.
City’s relentless pursuit of silverware continues this week, as they face Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday, followed by a high-stakes Premier League clash against Arsenal on Sunday. This marks the beginning of a frenetic period, with six games in just 18 days before the next international break. The pace won’t let up until July, leaving Akanji and his teammates facing a marathon rather than a sprint.
“We have to be careful with our bodies and our minds,” Akanji cautioned. With Pep Guardiola’s side already maintaining a 100% record this season, the pressure is on to keep performing. But as the fixtures pile up, fatigue and injuries become increasingly likely. Can City’s depth and quality see them through the chaos, or will the congestion take its toll on their title ambitions? Only time will tell.
