Manchester City have shaken off their Champions League disappointment and reached the final of the English FA Cup again. Thanks also to German goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, team manager Pep Guardiola’s defending champions beat Chelsea FC 1-0 (0-0) three days after their quarter-final exit in the premier class.
{
“placeholderType”: “MREC”
}
But Guardiola criticized the appointment and found clear words. “It is unacceptable to let us play today,” Guardiola told the BBC. “It’s impossible because of the players’ health. This is unacceptable! 120 minutes, the emotions in Madrid, the way we lost – honestly. I know this (the FA Cup, editor’s note) is something special, but it’s about the health of the players. I don’t know how we survived today.”
Guardiola: “I’m so sad. I’m so depressed.”
When asked whether he had officially expressed his criticism to the association, Guardiola said: “Do you think that demands will change anything? The only thing in my power is to speak out here.”
{
“placeholderType”: “MREC”
}
But the Catalan wasn’t done with his anger yet. “We want to play football. We love playing football, but it’s too much,” said the City coach.
Guardiola told his players not to fight against their feelings. “If you are sad, then you are sad. If you are disappointed, you are disappointed. I’m sad. I’m so depressed. We played exceptionally. I said, if you’re sad, play with your sadness.”
In goal, Guardiola – unlike recently on the international stage – offered Ortega a run from the start – and impressed with several strong saves in the semi-finals of the world’s oldest football competition.
Silva’s late winning goal redeems Man City
Bernardo Silva (84th) scored the decisive goal late on for the Citizens, who also have hopes of winning the Premier League championship. Whether there will be a repeat of last year’s final against Manchester United at London’s Wembley Stadium on May 25th will be decided on Sunday. City’s city rivals will face second division club Coventry City in the second semi-final (4.30 p.m.).
{
“placeholderType”: “MREC”
}
“I am very happy after a very frustrating week for all of us and for me personally. The good thing about football at Man City is that you play every three days. Every three days you have the chance to turn things around and now we have the chance to win another trophy,” said match winner Bernardo Silva on the BBC.
Guardiola’s team, which had lost to Real Madrid on penalties in the premier class during the week, started dominantly without the ailing striker Erling Haaland, but Chelsea put up a good fight against the Skyblues in a game that was exciting at times.
Shearer criticizes Chelsea striker Jackson
Ortega was particularly in the spotlight: against Cole Palmer (37th) and Nicolas Jackson (49th), among others, the former Bielefeld player prevented a deficit before Silva scored on the other side with a goal to win.
Former England star Alan Shearer then criticized Jackson harshly. The Chelsea attacker wasted a promising situation in the first half when he ran towards Ortega alone but failed to finish (30′). “Jackson had a bad day at work,” Shearer told the BBC. “He never looked comfortable. They were really top-class guys.”
In general, Chelsea had themselves to blame for the defeat. “They created really good chances. It’s not bad luck, it’s just a lack of quality,” said Shearer.
With Sports Information Service (SID)
2024-04-20 19:47:24
#Guardiola #tirade #cup #win #impossible
