Pep Guardiola trolls Southampton over their time-wasting tactics during Man City’s win against the Saints in the Premier League.
You’ve got to feel for Southampton. Not only did they endure a 9-0 loss to Leicester City last week, they had to face Manchester City next; Twice! The deflated side put no challenge against the reigning champions in their Carabao cup encounter but put up a much more spirited performance earlier in the night.
Also read: Watch Sadio Mane win the match for Liverpool with a deft header in the 95th minute
Their midweek 3-1 loss to an understrength Manchester side gave very little confidence to their fans for their next encounter in the weekend. Pep Guardiola’s side was after all, going to be strengthened by the return of Raheem Sterling and Kevin de Bruyne.
Another landslide loss was expected off the side. However, by halftime, the Saints left the pitch with the scoreline reading 1-0 in their favour. An upset seemed likely. It was not out of the realm of possibility. Norwich and Wolverhampton had done it before.
Southampton lead at Manchester City. How good must Leicester be?
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 2, 2019
However. City responded aggressively in the second half as they chased the equaliser and if possible, the winner too. Southampton though, were not too eager to leave Manchester without a point. At about an hour into the match, Southampton’s assistant manager Richard Kitzbichler displayed a not so saintly behaviour.
He held on to the ball a little longer than he should have, angering Pep Guardiola in the process. Fortunately, the time wasting had little to no bearing on the match as Sergio Aguero’s 70th minute equaliser and Kyle Walker’s 86th minute winner ensured 3 points for the hosts. Pep Guardiola then decided to have a little bit of fun at the expense of Kitzbichler.
Pep Guardiola trolls Southampton over their time-wasting tactics during Man City’s win
With the ball out of play, Pep Guardiola picked the ball up and offered it to Kitzbichler. It was as if Guardiola was letting him know that despite any underhanded tactics employed against them, the side would still come out victorious.
https://twitter.com/EPLBible/status/1190690782006648834
Pep Guardiola displaying the level of petty I want to attain.
Southampton assistant manager held the ball to waste time when City were losing 1-0
So Pep did this when City were up 2-1. pic.twitter.com/Z3Kzgj8v76
— Deji Faremi (@deejayfaremi) November 2, 2019
Manchester City will now travel to Anfield where they will take on Liverpool. City currently trail the league leaders by 6 points but could pull the difference down to 3 should they win next week. The task however, is easier said than done.
Under Klopp, Liverpool have made Anfield a fortress. Forget losing, Liverpool have won all their matches at the Anfield this season. The Reds have used their home support to intimidate and overcome all their visitors. City will have a huge task on their hands. A loss could virtually gift Liverpool the Premier league.
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