Ruben Dias claimed the City Ground pitch was too dry during Manchester City’s defeat at Nottingham Forest.
Callum Hudson-Odoi’s winner consigned City to a ninth Premier League defeat of the season during their ongoing fight to qualify for the Champions League.
Dias insisted that the champions had controlled the game while admitting that Pep Guardiola’s side didn’t move the ball quickly enough – putting that down to the state of the surface.
‘With the pitch dry it makes things a bit more difficult,’ Dias said. ‘It was [the same] last season and at Fulham too. It depends on the weather as well and goodwill from everyone to make the game fast.’
Kyle Walker held similar grievances at last year’s game, lodging a complaint with the match manager on the day, while there is no suggestion Forest have done anything wrong.
Dias called for strong leaders in the City dressing room as they head into the final 10 games of the campaign.
‘I felt like the team was strong,’ he added. ‘Then all the little extras - not conceding, doing better in certain moments, trying to move the ball faster. All these details count.
‘Obviously when you come from a circumstance when you're used to winning and fighting for everything until the end, then it's not easy to take when things are [like they are] now.
‘But it's our challenge and right now to fight for this top four is our final of the Champions League, it's our winning of the Premier League for this season.
‘It everything, from the competitive mentality, everything to make sure every detail is covered. That's the way you win without a doubt. It's how we've won before and how we have to fight.’
Yecablnuz
2
zooabcot
0
I don't know why you guys don't score, only ball position every now and then. PSG played so brilliant against Liverpool, but those guys was just concentrate on counter and fortunately they did it. But why can't you play the same game ⚽ of counter? Are you going to sit down and watch others winning?
When they have the ball they start walking waiting opponents to drop back and defend the ball, that kind of playing Haaland can't score. Maybe he should just leave pep is tired against Man City 🩵
Vector_Vector
1
I don't know why you guys don't score, only ball position every now and then. PSG played so brilliant against Liverpool, but those guys was just concentrate on counter and fortunately they did it. But why can't you play the same game ⚽ of counter? Are you going to sit down and watch others winning?
we don't have the right players for that playstyle tho, these Midfielders can't win the ball quickly stop the counters
Fetcimpstu
1
When you lose the pitch was hard when you win,,the hard pitch make easy to pass the ball quickly,,
Jekbdipuy
1
aaabaaa
HarisMuhammad
1
I don't know why you guys don't score, only ball position every now and then. PSG played so brilliant against Liverpool, but those guys was just concentrate on counter and fortunately they did it. But why can't you play the same game ⚽ of counter? Are you going to sit down and watch others winning?
Very true. We are just passing the ball and doing nothing. I strongly feel that, PEP should change his play style and if he is not ready then better to say bye bye to the club
Vinjosiology
2
Very dry. Odoi even failed to slide during celebration.
zooabcot
2
I don't know why you guys don't score, only ball position every now and then. PSG played so brilliant against Liverpool, but those guys was just concentrate on counter and fortunately they did it. But why can't you play the same game ⚽ of counter? Are you going to sit down and watch others winning?
kk101
3
stupid story, all this while you have been playing on their pitch you didn't notice it was dried
Gamer15
0
I thought he dropped his tampon that’s why they were defeated