Manchester City beat Bournemouth to progress to the semi-finals of the FA Cup and midfielder Bernardo Silva has commented after criticism of the reigning Premier League champions
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Bernardo Silva during Bournemouth vs Manchester City
Bernardo Silva and Manchester City moved into the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday
(Image: PA)
Bernardo Silva claims anyone writing off Manchester City “does not understand football” - and will be proved wrong. Silva, 30, also rounded on suggestions that City’s squad is too old after the champions’ disappointing season which has seen them lose grip on their title.
City’s last remaining hope of domestic silverware is the FA Cup and Silva says they are determined to make their critics eat their words. When asked whether City’s squad was too old, Silva snapped: “Tell me, which player? Give me names.
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“That's people that don't understand the game. I'm 30 years old, [Mateo] Kovacic is 30 years old. You're not talking about guys that are 36. So we have six bad months or four bad months and out of nowhere we're old, we're not good enough. In the last eight seasons we've won six Premier Leagues and for four bad months we're old?
“I'm asking you. You asked me the question so I answered. That’s people that don't understand the game, never played the game and probably don't understand a thing about football.
“We're going to prove them wrong. We have time for that. We're a bit late for this season, just maybe in a few competitions, but we'll be back, don't worry.
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“The FA Cup is the only competition that we have to make ourselves feel a little bit better, obviously still not good, even if we win the FA Cup. But yeah, it can make us feel a little bit better.”
Silva also says Wembley is special for City after reaching their seventh consecutive semi final as they face Nottingham Forest for a place in the final. He also heaped praise on youngster Nico O’Reilly who made such an impact in their quarter final win over Bournemouth.
Nico O'Reilly with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola
Nico O'Reilly impressed in City's win at Bournemouth
Silva added: “Wembley is a very special venue, it's always nice to be there. We were in two finals the last two years against Man United, one we managed to win, last season we lost.
“We want to be there again, fighting for the title, knowing it's not easy, because we played Forest in the semi -final and they're having a great season, but we have to put our energy into that. It's difficult for a 20-year-old like Nico to settle into a team like Man City, to be patient enough because he has great players in his position and to keep going, to work hard and he's a good example.
“The small amount of opportunities that he has, he's been taking them and that's a great example for the rest of the young guys. So yeah, it's showing that he deserves a place in this team and that he can have more opportunities."
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