Manchester City Under-18s were thrilled to beat Manchester United in the FA Youth Cup final at the Joie Stadium.
Manchester City beat Manchester United in the FA Youth Cup Final
Manchester City beat Manchester United in the FA Youth Cup Final
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Manchester City U18 coach Oliver Reiss said it was especially sweet to celebrate with family at the side of the pitch after winning the Youth Cup. City beat United 2-1 at the Joie Stadium to lift the trophy for the second time in three years and will now aim to complete a double next week when they play Chelsea in the league championship match.
There was controversy in the build-up to the game over City's decision to play it at their 7,000-capacity stadium that primarily hosts women's and academy matches. The FA state that the final should be played at the main ground but the Blues said they are busy getting the new North Stand ready for the final Premier League game and rejected a request from United to play the game at Old Trafford.
City sections were not sold out at the Joie but it felt like home to the squad after playing previous rounds on the same pitch. And when the final whistle blew, they could all go straight over to their loved ones to celebrate in a way like they have done all season.
"I think the crowd was unbelievable today, both supporter sides were unbelievable," said Reiss. "And this is a different atmosphere when it is close or when it's tight. So we were really happy to play at the end.
"I know the discussions around this, of course, but at the end we were happy to be here. And what happened then after the game over there, me too, my family was here. So to celebrate with them together was unbelievable. And it made this place also special for us to play this final here."
Reiss also said that the furore around the stadium venue was a lesson for him and his players that should prove useful in their careers. It was difficult not to be aware of all the hysteria around where the game was being played, so everyone at City had to make sure they weren't affected by it.
"This is part of their journey, hopefully, when a lot of players, at least a few players of them, will make it as a professional player in the future. These are the discussions around and don't let them impact on your performance, on your whatever it is. So can you deal with this?
"It's the same for me. Can I deal with it at the end? The noises, the voices around it, that's just what happens then on the pitch because of this. Also before, after, whatever it, this is a part of the game and the earlier you can learn this and to develop in this, the better it is, I think.