Man City head coach Pep Guardiola has admitted that the “better team won” in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals as his side lost 2-0 to Southampton.
Man City face rivals Man Utd in a Manchester derby this weekend. Guardiola has hinted that he has “ridiculous ideas” in mind for that game.
Before that huge game, the Premier League holders faced Southampton in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Guardiola was brave with his team selection as Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne were named among the substitutes.
This backfired as City found themselves 2-0 down before the interval thanks to goals from Sekou Mara and Moussa Djenepo.
Haaland and De Bruyne were brought on in the second half but neither player could make a difference as Man City did not manage a single shot on target in the cup tie.
City have previously won the Carabao Cup eight times but this defeat means now have to focus on the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
Guardiola stated post-match that his side were “not prepared to play this game”.
“The better team won. We didn’t play good, we didn’t play well in the beginning. There are many games you can start not good and overcome and we didn’t do it,” Guardiola told BBC 5 Live.
“When you are not prepared to play this game you arrive one inch late and don’t score a goal. When you are prepared you score the goal.
“Today was a bad night, the opponent was better so we have to congratulate them. To win games you have to deserve it and tonight we didn’t deserve it.”
Saints boss Nathan Jones added after his side’s win that he is “really proud of the club” as they have “come through a tough time”.
“I’m really proud of the players, of myself and the coaches. We’ve gone through a lot recently, people questioning a lot of things. That goes a little way to justifying why we’re here and what team we’re trying to create,” Jones said.
“I’m really proud of the club tonight and how we’ve come through a tough time. It was the second cup win in a week and shows we’re building something.
“The performance levels have been there in the last four games but we’ve given silly goals away and not giving ourselves a chance.
“Tonight we were excellent. It’s been building. I’ve had three Premier League games. I only had one day to prepare for Liverpool, I’m not David Blaine.
“I understand people’s frustrations but we’re building. Rome wasn’t built in a day. We are on the way.
“We want to…
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