Manchester City were unable to find a way past basement boys Southampton on Saturday as they drew 0-0 and Pep Guardiola immediately pointed the finger of blame at the Saints for "wasting time" and defending too much
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola took aim at Southampton for "playing to defend" and "wasting time" during their disappointing 0-0 draw at St Mary's - but defended playing Erling Haaland despite his long injury lay-off. City dropped vital points in their race to qualify for the Champions League as they failed to make it past the basement boys, who have lost 28 times this season.
City had 72 per cent possession of the ball and 26 shots, but only five of those were on target as they struggled to carve open a stubborn Saints side.
Southampton, meanwhile, had to shots all game and zero on target, completing just 258 passes to City's 640, and Guardiola accused them of playing for time and only focusing on defending.
When asked for his verdict on the game, the Spaniard said: "Difficult. We had chances but unfortunately couldn’t score. [Southampton were] playing to defend and defend and defend and waste time. We take that point still, it’s in our hands."
He added that despite the disappointing result, the point they picked up was "really important", adding: "[We] Didn’t expect them to defend so deep. Defensive we were so good but unfortunately we missed the last actions."
The game also saw Haaland play the full 90 minutes after missing the last six weeks due to an ankle injury but Guardiola said he didn't regret putting him on for the entire game, insisting they needed someone in the box to finish their chances.
"He [Erling Haaland] didn’t expect to play any minutes but the way the game was played we needed people in the box," Guardiola went on.
City defender Ruben Dias backed up his manager's claims about Southampton's "frustrating" tactics and accused them of "not wanting to play or win the game".
"It's frustrating to play against a team like them," said the Portuguese international. "They don’t even try to play, just wasting time the whole game.
"I don’t even feel like they want to play the game or win the game. They are just sitting around. We tried every way. We had chances but we didn’t score. It is what it is."
Simon Rusk defended Southampton's decision to sit deep and defend as he said they had no choice but to "absorb pressure" against a big side like City.
"We wanted to be as strong as possible towards the end of season," Rusk said after the game. "We did that with abundance. We can be proud of it. Against top sides you have to absorb lots of pressure. Concentration levels are key. We did that well. We stll found ourselves in one or two dangerous moments we could have capitalised on."
Weoabdenyz
0
You have Bananas to just have Bananas to it to happen to just us until upon another year to have eeeeeeereerrrrreeeeeereeeeeerrrrrrrrrrr
Fewcdikuy
0
no excuse those guys they knew us then they wanted just a chance that's why they defended, how can you win the game with those kind of players you started with yet Marmoush and Doku they were on the bench, me I blame you Pep even though you are the best coach I respect but on this one it's you to blame that's it, stop experiment personally I'm tired we have players who can play in their positions but this is not fair show care to us as your soccer fans plz
Given77
1
I said it since pep will not rescue Manchester City from their worst season if Man City board didn’t open their eyes to fuck that guy they call pep they repeat the same thing next season
It's like u didn't watch the game..City played well but lacked clinical finish or just lucky wasn't to their side.
Given77
0
City played well and tried but the lucky wasn't to their side .how many goal post shorts..!!!
Given77
0
Southampton playing without a vision.
Given77
1
Even if Southampton got one point,0 shorts on target and nearly 0 in everything,what is that point for? let them just go to championship.Atlist City they had something to fight for.
cehadeikru
1
good food truck
viwcdeikl
0
I said it since pep will not rescue Manchester City from their worst season if Man City board didn’t open their eyes to fuck that guy they call pep they repeat the same thing next season
wohbckor
0
it was pep's mistake with the stupid lineup that has continued to fail but he still drew it anyhow
KylieJones
0
if Pep doesn't cut halland mins wisely with Omar we gonna end up like this next season cause I think Omar should've introduce earlier for Halland he wasn't playing anything he wasn't up to standard not because he didn't score but the box to box players need to be more involve with the midfielder to build a rhythm an draw out other players from there position,I don't think standing in the box will help man city due to how they love to move the ball an look for spaces....ok it happens 1 season everyone now knows this an it's predictable
bamadiloty
1
So you didn’t want them to defend too much, come on Guardiola don’t be stupid , you failed just admit it
Dante101
0
new # 10 needed
Chafoh
0
Arsenal will be happier than Southampton.
PeepsClips
1
This Rusk deserves the axe. "you want to be as strong as possible" and you are relegated. Chi efogo. Nons3nse
truthisbitter
1
when players are back from long injury layoff,it's not advisable and fruitful to play them longer minutes not to talk about 90m,Pep erred here,it happened recently at inter where hansi flick brought lewandowski,he flopped woefully!
poyackmosz
0
they are all useless
Wekaeknorz
0
Erling Haaland doesn't suit Man City style Pep. He looks lost and useless. Roy Keane was right about his overall play.
yikcdikotz
1
Let’s be sincere , is like the hall and doesn’t fit man city style of play. I think they need to sell him and use Mamoudzou more
racklnsuy
1
Okay, your grudge is they weren't kind enough to let you score? Haba, Pep!
Zawdilmnpz
0
play to defend Pep is become stupid or what and if you good pass the defenders then its about tactics and what you want from the game no rule say you must attack ...Jesus and you have only 5 shot at target for the last team that is defending
hatabimnpu
2
this is a to be frank how can you be in the top 4 or 5 when can't beat a team which is in the bottom of table. now you wants to blame them 4 diffending it's good for benching gundagan and marmoush who were playing very their recent games.