Pep Guardiola’s 0-0 draw at Southampton’s draws from Manchester City’s draw, which could prove a harmful retreat in the Champions League.
City welcomed Erling Holland with an ankle injury, but he and his team-mates were disappointed because Southampton kept his first goal in December to make sure the total derby derby would not have a total of 11 points.
Southampton now ends at least 12 points, but at the end of the table, the result is more important, and City have lost their chances of finishing second and helping their opponents in five Champions League qualifiers races.
City were six points clear at the Nottingham Forest, who had finished sixth, with the winners winning the most expected win. Instead, forward can move at a city dot by winning at Leicester City on Sunday. If the winner is fifth in St. James’ park between Newcastle United and Chelsea, they will jump to City to third.
While he was clearly tired of Southampton’s approach, Guardiola was somewhat optimistic when he evaluated the club’s performance.
“Shared. We had a chance but unfortunately we couldn’t score,” Guardiola told the BBC Sport.
– (Sathampton) played to defend, defend, and waste time. We still take that point, it is in our hands.
“(We) we didn’t expect them to have so much defense. We were very good in terms of defense, but unfortunately we were deprived of the last actions.
“That point was really important.”
Defenders Ruben Diasi focused on his criticism of Southampton.
“Playing against a team like them is annoying, they don’t even try to play, they just waste time in the whole game,” Dias said.
“I don’t even feel they want to play or win the game. They are just sitting, we have tried everything,” Ronaldo said. We had a chance but we didn’t score. That’s what he has.”
Holland played fully on his return because City were looking for a decisive goal, the importance of the attempt to rest in a deadlock that changed Guardiola’s plan.
“Healand didn’t expect to play like any minute except the way the game was played.