The obligatory hug. A few words of commiseration. Then Pep Guardiola went back towards Morgan Gibbs-White for something else. Another embrace, a whisper in the ear.
Guardiola appreciates quality and knew Nottingham Forest’s resurgence in this semi-final emanated from a midfielder Manchester City fancy signing this summer.
Stefan Ortega’s woodwork was struck three times after the break, twice by Gibbs-White, who drove Forest on and left the Wembley pitch chuntering about a missed opportunity.
At times this season City’s roof has fallen in but they preserved their advantage here, with some luck, and deservedly so for the way in which they controlled Forest in the early exchanges.
Controlled them with a box midfield that Guardiola insists is not here to stay — probably because Erling Haaland’s attributes are more suited to other formations — but allowed Rico Lewis flourish.
Lewis revealed on City’s tour of America last summer that he wanted to play as a No 8 and Guardiola decided on Saturday afternoon that this semi-final against Forest was the perfect time to try it.
Lewis thrives in big environments and within two minutes was cupping an ear to the crowd after firing City ahead. He, Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic were hyenas out of possession.
‘There are some players who believe I don’t appreciate them and with Rico I give him the hand to show his quality and he proved it,’ Guardiola said. ‘He can play different positions. He has the quality, he moves really well in small spaces. His perfect position is in the pocket. Rico is one of the best I’ve ever seen there.’
Guardiola congratulated Arne Slot on winning the league title at Liverpool but warned City would be back. Confirming a Champions League space is paramount now, with in-form Wolves coming to the Etihad on Friday.
‘We have to be calm and recover because with the state of the (Wembley) grass, the fatigue is always there,’ Guardiola added before being asked if winning this competition and finishing in the top five would constitute a good season. ‘No,’ he replied with emphasis.
‘This season has not been good. We are a thousand-million points behind Liverpool. We were always a machine and we haven’t been good. We have to take the right decisions so next season will be better.’
Signing Gibbs-White would be a good place to start.
Dante101
0
🤣🤣 Xavi Simons and wirtz better
Ksm_city
3
if you're been admired by Pep then just know that your career is about to be over! if you think am lying then ask Philips, Reis, Khusanov, and Nico. Pep will sign a player and put him on bench for a season-long until he loses form and then start using him in few matches in the following season and then let's him leave for a small fee. what a worst of time and resources
What are u saying? What about the youngsters Pep has elevated their careers? Can’t u see how Rico, O’Reilly, Savinho & Marmoush has improved in recent weeks? So you didn’t notice City has changed their style of play? And that’s why we’ve improved defensively and also going forward. What Pep is doing now is more of a trial because he’s going to sell a lot of players in the summer, he’s trying to get his first eleven for next season. We’ve to be calm and trust the process.
McForlemu
2
Foden fell off the ladder. Gibbs-White is now far better than him. That boy Foden should be careful else he'll miss Tuchel's World Cup 2026 call up.
tampumi
1
if you're been admired by Pep then just know that your career is about to be over! if you think am lying then ask Philips, Reis, Khusanov, and Nico. Pep will sign a player and put him on bench for a season-long until he loses form and then start using him in few matches in the following season and then let's him leave for a small fee. what a worst of time and resources
Yhoo bro im worried about Nico nd Khusanov they are very very good we shd just let Benardo, Debryne Gundogan and Grealish leave
Keedkuyzz
1
Replied of the year 😂😂😂
🤣
Mpumey
2
if you're been admired by Pep then just know that your career is about to be over! if you think am lying then ask Philips, Reis, Khusanov, and Nico. Pep will sign a player and put him on bench for a season-long until he loses form and then start using him in few matches in the following season and then let's him leave for a small fee. what a worst of time and resources
That's purely truthful.. Pep can destroy a beautiful talent.
yonailmpr
1
if you're been admired by Pep then just know that your career is about to be over! if you think am lying then ask Philips, Reis, Khusanov, and Nico. Pep will sign a player and put him on bench for a season-long until he loses form and then start using him in few matches in the following season and then let's him leave for a small fee. what a worst of time and resources
Big true bro I don’t see why u sign players and never play them.
kidabdiklo
1
if you're been admired by Pep then just know that your career is about to be over! if you think am lying then ask Philips, Reis, Khusanov, and Nico. Pep will sign a player and put him on bench for a season-long until he loses form and then start using him in few matches in the following season and then let's him leave for a small fee. what a worst of time and resources
What about Doku,Savinho,Bernardo n Gundo
kidabdiklo
0
if you're been admired by Pep then just know that your career is about to be over! if you think am lying then ask Philips, Reis, Khusanov, and Nico. Pep will sign a player and put him on bench for a season-long until he loses form and then start using him in few matches in the following season and then let's him leave for a small fee. what a worst of time and resources
Is not his fault that those players don't perform to their standard .. ......Are you Citizens not sure ......Big up to a very successful manager in Citizens
jaudekoy
1
u are just stupid nothing else to tell you
Boller
4
if you're been admired by Pep then just know that your career is about to be over! if you think am lying then ask Philips, Reis, Khusanov, and Nico. Pep will sign a player and put him on bench for a season-long until he loses form and then start using him in few matches in the following season and then let's him leave for a small fee. what a worst of time and resources
destiny104
0
If you know you are a good Staker WHY Not. come let's win. 'eOe 'e8e 'e0 'e2 'e5 'e 9 'e2 'e8 'e4 'e0 'e4.. 💥
Gambianneymar
1
And ask KDB success, ask Bernado, ask Rodri
Replied of the year 😂😂😂
Keedkuyzz
1
ask Kevin Phillips fallen star
And ask KDB success, ask Bernado, ask Rodri
FazullBouwy
1
ask Kevin Phillips fallen star
Yewcemoruy
5
signing any English player is a gud start for city