Rúben Dias tears away into Southampton’s alleged negative tactics after the already-relegated side frustrate City to a 0-0 draw.
Rúben Dias tears away into Southampton’s negative tactics but Guardiola disagrees.
Southampton ground out a victory that means City are still not guaranteed a top-five finish and Champions League participation, despite having just two shots, both of which missed the mark, and 28% of the possession.
Dias was furious at Southampton’s use of the dark arts, especially wasting time, but Pep Guardiola, his manager, was unconcerned, stating that it was up to City to figure something out.
“It’s frustrating,” Dias said. “In a moment like this every point matters. And it is frustrating to play against a team like this.
“They don’t even try anything, they just sit and they don’t even want to win the game. They just want to be there. It is no good for the show and no good for themselves. It is no good for anyone but it is what it is.”
Dias referenced the time-wasting of the Southampton goalkeeper, Aaron Ramsdale. “I saw a completely different team the last time we played them [in the 1-0 home win in October]. I don’t know how many times players went on the floor to try and waste time and waste time and waste time. It kills the rhythm of the game.
“We always have to do better but it is not easy to get into a team that behaves this way. We must be better and be more dynamic and quicker. We need to be better.”
Guardiola was phlegmatic, disagreeing with Dias. “No, no, no. Absolutely not … they can do whatever they want,” he said of Southampton. For many years here we faced teams in different approaches and they decided [how] they have to play. It’s on us to break them.