Pep Guardiola Criticizes Players: what went wrong in Carabao Cup win over Brentford
After Manchester City's Carabao Cup victory, Pep Guardiola criticized two players for not performing as expected. Despite the win, Guardiola highlighted shortcomings and praised impact substitutes.
Demanding coach Pep Guardiola called out two of his Manchester City players that “didn’t do the job” when booking a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals. The Blues remain in the hunt for more domestic silverware after picking up a comfortable 2-0 victory over Premier League rivals Brentford in the last eight. Rayan Cherki and Savinho were on target at the Etihad Stadium.City, who won the League Cup in four consecutive campaigns between 2018 and 2021, are set to face holders Newcastle in the semis - with that contest taking place over two legs. Guardiola will be eager to get his hands on major honours after failing to tick that box last season.His team made light work of Brentford on home soil despite making several changes to their starting XI. Prolific striker Erling Haaland, first-choice goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and commanding centre-half Ruben Dias were among those to be afforded well-earned rests.Guardiola was forced into another change early on, with Phil Foden replacing Oscar Bobb after the Norwegian winger picked up a knock inside 19 minutes. Four further substitutions were made in the second half.City scored once in either half - with Cherki crashing home a spectacular long-distance strike in the 32nd minute, before Brazilian forward Savinho wrapped up the win with 23 minutes remaining.While happy with said efforts, Guardiola was critical of his goalscorers for not doing their bit defensively. He told reporters afterwards: “I'm really pleased for the impact from the guys who came from the bench, because in the second-half Rayan Cherki didn't do the job he should defensively - he had no energy, Savinho neither.“That's why the impact from Josko [Gvardiol], Matheus [Nunes], especially Bernardo [Silva] helped a lot to increase rhythm! I didn't want to play Nico Gonzalez, Nico O'Reilly 90 minutes again - they've played a lot and we have Saturday; a massively important game against West Ham.“Same like Phil - I didn't want him to play the minutes he played but the injury from Oscar happened. But everyone that came from the bench was really, really good!”Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Guardiola took issue with Cherki’s work rate against the Bees, especially when it comes to tracking back, but was full of praise for the French playmaker’s stunning strike - which was curled expertly beyond Hakon Valdimarsson and into the top corner from 20 yards out. His manager said: “What a goal. After that, he didn't play the match well but before and with the goal, it was fantastic.”Pressed further on what made the goal so special, with the ball having dropped Cherki’s way when a corner was only half-cleared, Guardiola added: “Even a blind guy, a blind woman, can realise it was a special goal. You do not need to be a manager to understand how good it was.”City’s squad will enjoy a day off on the back of securing progress in Carabao Cup competition. They are being given the charge to recharge collective batteries ahead of the busy festive period.The Blues will be back in action on Saturday when playing host to West Ham. Guardiola said: “We need to prepare with our fans to win that important game. To finish before this little break, longer than usual, being up there. West Ham have a long week, have time to prepare for our game. We don’t have much time. Tomorrow is no training. And then just one day.”Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingCity will entertain the Hammers sat second in the Premier League table, two points adrift of leaders Arsenal. Guardiola’s side are on a run of six successive victories across all competitions - with positive results also being picked up in the Champions League.After facing West Ham, their schedule for 2025 will be completed when heading to Nottingham Forest on December 27. New Year’s Day will be spent at Sunderland, before tackling Chelsea at the Etihad three days later - with more shuffling of his pack expected from Guardiola before another quest for FA Cup glory is opened on January 10 against Exeter.
Inconsistent Defensive Contributions
In a post-match analysis, Pep Guardiola expressed disappointment in the defensive efforts of Rayan Cherki and Savinho during Manchester City's Carabao Cup triumph over Brentford. The manager noted that the two players failed to fulfill defensive responsibilities and lacked energy, despite their goal-scoring contributions.
Striking Brilliance Marred by Defensive Lapses
While Guardiola acknowledged Rayan Cherki's spectacular goal, he emphasized that the player's overall performance was lacking. Cherki's failure to track back and contribute defensively was a point of concern for the demanding coach. Guardiola praised the goal but insisted on a more well-rounded performance from the French playmaker.
Positive Impact of Substitute Players
Despite his criticism of certain individuals, Guardiola commended the impact made by substitutes such as Josko Gvardiol, Matheus Nunes, and Bernardo Silva. The manager highlighted their contributions in increasing the tempo of the game and maintaining team rhythm. Guardiola also expressed satisfaction with the overall performance of the bench players.
Upcoming Challenges and Squad Management
As Manchester City progresses in the Carabao Cup and other competitions, Guardiola remains focused on managing the squad effectively. With key fixtures against West Ham and other contenders on the horizon, the coach stressed the importance of player rotation and maintaining fitness levels. Manchester City's busy schedule demands a strategic approach to squad management for continued success.
