Pep Guardiola defended his choice of team and substitute goalkeeper Zack Steffen after a horrific game in the first half that ruined Manchester City’s triple chances in the FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool.
Liverpool took a 3-0 lead at the break, thanks to a performance in the first half that Jurgen Klopp described as the best of his reign, plus a disastrous mistake by Steffen, who moved on John Stones’ back pass and allowed Sadio Mane to score with a blow. The American international was one of seven changes Guardiola made to the team that started Wednesday’s tough Champions League quarter-final at Atletico Madrid. He was adamant that there was no alternative in the midst of a grueling schedule and the pursuit of the Premier League title.
The City manager insisted: “We had a lot of games and trips and a lot of important games, so I chose the team. The first goal was a set where Liverpool are so strong and score a lot of goals, and the second was an accident. Then we conceded a goal in the last minute of the first half, but then we showed incredible pride. We didn’t look tired after scoring, because football is about momentum. We had the cleanest positions and scored goals. It is not easy to do this against Liverpool. We fought to the end and showed our pride. “
Guardiola confirmed that Rodri and Riyad Marez are fit to play at Wembley, but his other changes from Madrid, including Kevin De Bruyne, have had problems with fitness. He added: “Ruben [Dias] he had seven weeks off, Kyle [Walker] he couldn’t play either [Ilkay] Gundogan received a knock on the knee. This is when you play a lot of games. When everyone is in shape, we are fine, but playing with Madrid, Liverpool, Madrid, Liverpool for a short period of time meant that we had to change players. We know that when we get to this stage of the season and fight for titles, it can be difficult. It was difficult today – but we reacted in a great way and we were close to returning. “
Pep Guardiola said that Manchester City was forced to make changes because of its list of matches. Photo: Mark Greenwood / Shutterstock
The City manager also insisted that it would be unfair not to play with Steffen, his keeper for the local cup this season, and that his mistake was a risk in line with the team’s strategy. Guardiola explained: “I haven’t talked to Zack. It was an accident, but we have to try because that’s how we play our football. It was an accident, it’s happening. Eddie [Ederson] was close in the last match. We need this to create our football, we use our goalkeeper to move our opponents to different situations. I’m pretty sure Zack didn’t want to do it. Sometimes the attackers miss in front of the goalkeeper, other times the goalkeeper makes a mistake. It was a decision [to play him] from days ago. It is unfair when you play in cups and not play them. He deserves to play and then played a good game. He made good saves and is an exceptional goalkeeper. “
Klopp said that Manet’s “acceleration and desire” were more responsible for Liverpool’s second goal than Steffen’s mistake and praised the exceptional first half. “I think it was [the best first-half display of his reign], that was the feeling I had when I saw him, with the quality of the opponent. You saw in the second half how good they really are. It is very difficult to deny them in so many moments, to create your own possibilities and to use them. The first half was great in almost every part of the game. “
City apologized to Liverpool and condemned supporters who chanted in a minute of silence to mark the 33rd anniversary of the Hillsborough crash before the start. The referee, Michael Oliver, interrupted the planned remembrance after some City fans failed to pay their respects.
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A City spokesman said: “Manchester City are extremely disappointed with the actions of some City supporters during the minute’s silence before today’s match. The club sincerely apologizes to everyone associated with Liverpool Football Club. “
Klopp replied: “Of course we accept their apology. We never thought it was Man City, although there were some people who didn’t understand the situation and it wasn’t good and they felt really wrong at the time. We can’t change that and it has nothing to do with City. “
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