Manchester City defender Ruben Dias has hit out at Southampton over a lack of ambition, following the goalless draw between the sides at St Mary’s.
City’s hopes of Champions League qualification were dented after being held on the south coast. Pep Guardiola’s side dominated on almost every metric, boasting 72% of the possession and 26 shots on goal.
FULL-TIME | It ends level.
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However, the Citizens were unable to find a route through a stubborn Southampton side, who became the earliest side ever to be relegated from the Premier League earlier this season. The draw takes Southampton to 12 points, eclipsing Derby County’s infamous record low of 11 points with just two games of the season remaining.
However, Dias was far from impressed by the home side’s pragmatism.
“It’s frustrating to play against a team like them. They don’t even try to play, just wasting time the whole game,” Dias said to BBC Sport.
“I don’t even feel like they want to play the game or win the game. They are just sitting around. We tried every way. We had chances but we didn’t score. It is what it is.”
Guardiola critical of Southampton’s tactics
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola also hit out at Southampton, insisting the Saints were playing to ‘defend and waste time’.
“Difficult. We had chances but unfortunately couldn’t score. [Southampton were] playing to defend and defend and defend and waste time. We take that point still, it’s in our hands.
“Didn’t expect them to defend so deep. Defensive we were so good but unfortunately we missed the last actions.
“He [Erling Haaland] didn’t expect to play as any minutes but the way the game was played we needed people in the box.
“That point was really important.”
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