ManCity embarrassment in the League Cup – now the derby is coming
«The worst half under Pep Guardiola»
Manuel Akanji (27) surprisingly dropped out of the League Cup, also known as the Carabao Cup, with Manchester City on Wednesday evening. The Sky Blues lost 2-0 against Southampton, criticism is inevitable.
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Manchester City are crushed by Southampton in the quarter-finals of the League Cup.
No one would have expected that: Manchester City were knocked out in the League Cup against bottom-placed Southampton in the Premier League – and have not had a shot on goal for the first time since April 2018.
A double strike within five minutes by Sekou Mara (23rd) and Moussa Djenepo (28th) sealed the embarrassing quarter-final defeat. The conclusion of former Liverpool kicker Jamie Redknapp (49): “Those were the worst 45 minutes under Pep Guardiola.” BBC pundit Chris Sutton was under the impression that the “Citizens” were certain of victory, having won the Premier League 4-0 without argument at the beginning of October.
“No chance” in the Manchester derby?
Guardiola did without super striker Erling Haaland, Nati defender Manuel Akanji (both came on in the second half) and regular keeper Ederson in the starting line-up. Stefan Ortega, who was signed by Bielefeld, is between the posts for the Brazilian – and promptly has a bad day.
At the second goal of the “Saints”, the German is too far in front of the goal and is duped by Djenepo. “The formation didn’t matter, the performance was crucial,” said Guardiola after the game. “We weren’t there. We weren’t ready,” he concluded.
The defeat in the League Cup comes at the worst possible time, because on Saturday (1.30 p.m.) there is a derby against Manchester United in the Premier League. You shouldn’t allow yourself such a performance again, says the Spaniard: “If we play like that, we don’t have a chance.” (che)