Michael Duff consoles Alfie May after Cheltenham's 3-1 loss to Man City (Image: PA)
Michael Duff consoles Alfie May after Cheltenham's 3-1 loss to Man City (Image: PA)
MICHAEL Duff recalled the time he went head-to-head with Pep Guardiola as City wait on the FA Cup draw.
Duff is hoping for a home tie in the first round – with the teams being drawn out imminently.
His furthest run in the competition as a manager was round four in 2021 with Cheltenham.
They drew the plum tie of Man City at home, although the Covid restrictions meant there was no crowd.
Cheltenham, who were 72 places below their star-studded visitors, struck first through Alfie May – and led until the last nine minutes when Guardiola’s men hit back with late goals from Phil Foden, Gabriel Jesus and Ferran Torres.
“Unfortunately, it was in Covid but a lot of the big hitters were playing,” said Duff.
“The irony is that Cheltenham is a rugby area and after 80 minutes, which is (the duration of) a rugby match, we were winning 1-0. But we couldn’t quite see it out.
“We had a long throw-in we used and Pep Guardiola was trying to block our man (Ben Tozer) taking it.
“I thought it was brilliant that you could see that competitive edge when Man City were playing Cheltenham Town. You could see what he is about and it doesn’t matter who they were playing or in what competition.
“He wanted to win and you could see that with the team he put out. Saying that, they could have put out 22 full internationals anyway.
“It was a good experience and I had a 15-minute chat with him afterwards. You can’t buy those little moments.
“It was just such a shame that it was probably the biggest draw Cheltenham had ever had and it was behind closed doors.”
City are the highest-ranked team in the first round, as it stands, as League One leaders. Duff appreciates they will be viewed by the non-league clubs involved as a prize draw.
“Bradford away is a big draw with the size of the stadium, the amount of fans we get and where we are in the league.
“It’s no different to us. You want to get to one of the big games and play one at home where you get a full house and this place is bouncing or away where you get a 60,000 -70,000 attendance and earn the club some money.
“That’s the beauty of the FA Cup and the way it flips on its head. There’s always an underdog.”
The draw is live on the TNT Sports Youtube channel from 6.30.