For the first time since 2018, Pep Guardiola’s side failed to get a shot on target
English Premier League champions Manchester City suffered a shocking loss against Southampton last night at the Carabao Cup Quarter-finals. The Saints were able to take the lead in the 23rd minute before doubling it 5 minutes later. They were able to hold on till the last minute and produced a major upset.
From Southampton’s perspective it was a great game. They played with energy, fluidity and constantly broke the back of City’s defense. The Sky Blues will be gutted after losing against a side which is at the bottom of the Premier League table and this loss will provide Pep Guardiola a brief insight as to where they are exactly lacking.
Their defensive back line was exposed again and again especially in the first-half. City started with a back 4 of Sergio Gomez (LB), Joao Cancelo (RB) alongside Aymeric Laporte and Kyle Walker in the middle. This was yet another uncanny tactic used by Guardiola.
Manchester City without a shot on target against Southampton today π³π΄#carabaocup pic.twitter.com/pYZZ4TFnlZ
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) January 11, 2023
He dropped John Stones for unknown reasons and it proved to be costly. The Englishman has been City’s best defender this season but he was given no chance. The Left Full back position has always been a matter of concern for them and it remains unresolved due to summer signing Sergio Gomez’s underwhelming and immature performances.
Southampton came with a clear cut game plan of penetrating constantly inside City’s box and it worked. The back four was crumbling time to time and the first Southampton goal backs the statement. Sergio Gomez made the initial mistake which led to the goal.
His failed attempt to find Jack Grealish was intercepted left-back Lyaco who crossed the ball inside city’s box to find Sekou Mara, who was running behind Kyle Walker initially but sliced the ball past Stefan Ortega to take the lead.
The second goal came within 5 minutes thanks to Stefan Ortega’s poor positioning. Moussa Djenepo came flashing towards City’s box before seeing Ortega off the line. Djenepo successfully seized the opportunity and place his foot on the ball perfectly to go 2-0 up before the half-hour mark.
Manchester City are π«πππ₯π₯π² losing 2-0 to Southampton π« pic.twitter.com/rE8gcrik1u
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 11, 2023
Expectations were that City will respond sooner or later in the game but their comeback was not on the cards. This is for the 2nd year in a row that Manchester City have exited from the Carabao Cup.
Southampton advance to the semi-finals after knocking out serial winners Manchester City π³π₯π₯ #carabaocup pic.twitter.com/KWfGIUthHq
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) January 11, 2023
Now it remains to be seen if this loss would impact their performance against arch rivals Manchester United in a days time. How many trophies do you think will City win this season?
