LONDON • Pep Guardiola has once again sought to play down Manchester City's chances of winning the quadruple after their narrow 1-0 FA Cup semi-final victory over Brighton on Saturday.
Describing the unprecedented feat as highly unlikely, Gabriel Jesus' goal in the fourth minute was enough for City to set up a return visit to Wembley for the final on May 18.
They will be firm favourites to triumph and claim another piece of silverware, having won the League Cup in February.
Guardiola's men also remain in contention to retain the Premier League title and win the Champions League for the first time - with a quarter-final first leg against Tottenham to come tomorrow.
Should they prevail in the three competitions, they would become the first English club to achieve such a clean sweep.
But, after an unexpectedly subdued showing in what was City's 11th victory in 14 FA Cup semi-finals, and one in which they were somewhat fortunate not to lose Kyle Walker to a first-half red card for an apparent headbutt, Guardiola maintained his stance of not getting carried away with regard to what his team can achieve.
The Spaniard said post-game: "It is almost impossible to win the quadruple. Put it in the headline: almost impossible. Surviving in that stage of the competitions is already a miracle. And still we are there."
The 48-year-old was in somewhat tetchy mood after what was a 22nd victory in 23 games for his side, which could in part have been down to how City performed at Wembley.
Jesus' goal appeared the cue for a rout. Yet as was the case in the recent wins against Fulham and Cardiff, City retreated within themselves after taking an early lead.
They created only four shots on target in the entire game and found themselves under pressure from a spirited Brighton side in the second half.
It could also have been a different game had Walker been sent off in the first half following a scuffle with Brighton winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh. Both players were booked by referee Anthony Taylor before the defender's yellow card was looked at by the Video Assistant Referee with the possibility of it being upgraded.
After a short delay, the original decision was upheld despite replays showing Walker had thrust his head into that of the Iranian.
While Guardiola claimed to have not seen the incident, Chris Hughton was in no doubt the England right-back was lucky to remain on the field.
"In my opinion, it was a red card. There was sufficient force," said the Brighton manager. "We're at a stage where everybody is pushing for it (VAR). I've been converted, but I'm not sure how far it will take us."
THE GUARDIAN
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is set to serve a second term after world football's governing body said on Wednesday he would be the only candidate for June's vote. The 48-year-old has been in charge of FIFA since February 2016, after succeeding the disgraced Sepp Blatter following the corruption scandal which rocked the organisation.
Gianni Infantino sole candidate for FIFA presidency in June
MILAN (AFP) - European football's governing body Uefa said on Friday (Dec 28) that the correct anti-racism protocol had not been followed during the Italian league game between Inter Milan and
UEFA says anti-racism protocol not followed in Koulibaly case
Southgate urges England to make 2019 even better Gareth Southgate has challenged his vibrant young England side to build on a year to remember after they clinched a place in the Nations League semi-finals in dramatic style.
Marco Silva unaware of any offers for Abel Hernandez | Daily
Valencia will face Barcelona in the final of the Copa del Rey after a 1-0 second-leg win over Real Betis secured a 3-2 aggregate semi-final victory. Rodrigo Moreno's goal early in the second half
Copa del Rey Final - LIVE! Barcelona vs Valencia
Qatar head coach Felix Sanchez has admitted that his team's semifinal against hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday will be the most difficult match yet in the AFC Asian Cup 2019.
Japan leave Asian Cup final dressing room 'spotless' with
'There was pressure last year and we dealt with it': Jurgen Klopp dismisses talk of Liverpool crumbling in high-pressure Premier League title race Jurgen Klopp insists that Liverpool can cope with
Football news - Klopp dismisses talk of Liverpool crumbling
The album is the original soundtrack for the musical Struck. The pop/rock score by Rich Morel stars Tony Award winner Alan Cumming. Struck is the story of a fading rock star who discovers that getting hit by lightning will bring back his past glory.
Their Eyes Were Watching God (Book) | The Seattle Public
Football: Barcelona on a mission to right the wrongs
Maranzhe Hungry Lions are still celebrating after being crowned the 2017 Petrus Madzuhe champions at the Maranzhe grounds last Sunday. They beat Tshivhilidulu Hungry Lions 3-1 in the final. Although no goal was scored during regulation time, the teams managed to display entertaining football
Lions dominate Patriots to earn first victory of season, 26
LONDON • Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists that he is focusing solely on his team and nobody else. Read more at straitstimes.com. Reds must play own game: Klopp, Football News & Top Stories
Reds need to focus on their own games - Klopp | ClubCall.com
Messi notches 400 Laliga goals. Lionel Messi scoring Barcelona's second goal against Eibar at the Nou Camp on Sunday. It was his 400th LaLiga goal after just 435 games.
Messi notches 400th La Liga goal - Nigerian News Direct
Football: Kane insists club rivalries will not split England camp England striker Harry Kane speaks during a press conference at St George's Park in Burton-on-Trent, central England. PHOTO: AFP
Kane insists club rivalries will not split England camp
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen