Manchester City will play the League Cup final against championship rivals Arsenal on Sunday. Pep Guardiola is relying on his cup goalkeeper in goal – despite his recent statements.
Will the low during the week be followed by a new high on Sunday? Just a few days after losing to Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League, Manchester City have a chance of winning the title at Wembley. The League Cup final against Arsenal is coming up. The pressure on coach Pep Guardiola’s team has increased once again as a result of the European elimination.
Guardiola himself, however, took a completely different view immediately after losing the second clash with Real Madrid. “It’s not decisive, it’s a soccer match, we’ll try to win with a good performance. I’m old enough to know that a defeat is not the end of the world. It’s just a game,” the Catalan had said heading into Sunday.
Meanwhile, it is eagerly awaited who Guardiola will rely on in terms of personnel at the legendary Wembley. One of the most exciting questions was certainly that of the goalkeeper: Will the 55-year-old also rely on his cup goalkeeper James Trafford in the final or will regular keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma move between the posts? A “great moment” awaits him and the entire team. The fact that Trafford had recently publicly admitted his dissatisfaction with his playing time played no role in Guardiola’s decision: “There’s nothing to say. Players can be happy or unhappy – it is what it is. They have to give their best when they play. We’ll have to wait and see what happens at the end of the season.”
Frozen Haaland “had two days off”
Trafford was asked about his role by journalists in mid-February after the 2-0 win in the FA Cup against fourth-division side Salford City. In response, he said: “Of course everyone knows what’s going on with me, so I just have to play as well as I can whenever I get the chance.”
Another Premier League club is said to have approached City for Trafford in the winter, but Guardiola & Co. had ruled out a departure at the time. How things will continue in the summer is completely open. “I take each day as it comes and try to work as hard as I can – and whatever happens, happens,” Trafford also explained: “I have a contract, of course, but I don’t know what will happen next season.”
On Sunday, his first appearance at Wembley awaits him – as it does for Antoine Semenyo. “It’s really, really difficult for all of us to reach a final, no matter what competition it is. We see the level here, in Europe and in other leagues and competitions. It’s a great opportunity because you never know when something like this will come up again,” said Guardiola.
However, Guardiola is in no doubt that Erling Haaland, who was severely disappointed after being knocked out of the CL, will be hungry. “I am convinced that he is just as focused as we all are. I haven’t spoken to him yet, he’s had two days off, but I’m pretty sure he’s ready.”