Manchester City defender Ruben Dias has torn into Southampton for adopting a negative approach following the former champions’ 0-0 draw against the Premier League strugglers
An irate Ruben Dias bizarrely took aim at Southampton in the aftermath of Manchester City’s shock 0-0 draw on the south coast, accusing the Premier League strugglers of “not even trying to play.”
Pep Guardiola’s side headed to the Saints knowing that a victory would put them level on points with Arsenal in second place, with a host of teams still wrestling for a top five finish and Champions League qualification. But City blew their golden chance to move ahead of their rivals by blanking against a side who are already relegated.
City produced a poor performance in front of goal to let Southampton – who have now ensured they will not equal Derby County’s record low points tally of 11 – off the hook.
And Dias couldn’t hide his frustrations post-match, where he tore into the Saints and slammed them for defending deep and attempting to waste time. He told Sky Sports: “It’s frustrating to play against a team like them. They don’t even try to play, just wasting time the whole game.
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“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.”
Southampton had some fun with Dias’ bizarre post-match rant, sharing a social media post which read: “A point without even trying to play,” complete with a perplexed emoji.
Despite his own disappointment, Guardiola offered a slightly more nuanced view on Southampton’s approach. He told BBC Sport: “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.”
Saints goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was “delighted” with his clean sheet, saying: “We’re not happy about how the season has gone but we’re happy we’ve avoided that [low points] record. We’re under no illusions that it’s not a great points tally. The fans are happy in the sun smiling.
“Everyone knows it’s been a difficult season for us. That one was for the fans and also the lads who have given everything. A lot of Mondays coming in after heavy defeats. Today is a relief.”
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