Manchester City suffered a blow in their hopes of sealing qualification for the Champions League last weekend.
The Citizens failed to beat Southampton in Saturday’s Premier League encounter at St Mary’s Stadium.
Manchester City could not find a way past the Saints, a team that, up until 5pm, was level on points with the worst Premier League team of all time, Derby County’s class of 2007/08.
Guardiola’s charges somehow ended up sharing the points with Southampton despite the latter having two efforts all game, no shots on goal, and 28 percent possession.
There was plenty for supporters to criticise. James McAtee was slated by City fans. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola was slated for not starting Jeremy Doku.
Now, pundits Don Hutchison and Dion Dublin have ripped into City defender Ruben Dias in wake of the south coast stalemate.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
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Don Hutchison and Dion Dublin slate ‘weak’ Ruben Dias in wake of Manchester City draw at Southampton
Hutchison and Dublin were not impressed with Dias because of what he did after the game.
Dias told reporters after the match: “They don’t even try to play. They are just wasting time the whole game.
“I don’t even feel they wanted to play the game, or win the game – they are just sitting around!”
Dias’ comments were slated by Hutchison and Dublin on Optus Sport.
“Salty,” said Hutchison. “What does he want them to do? Does he want them to play open football so City can win 5-0?
“What are you thinking there Ruben Dias? What are you saying? They were playing something and keeping City honest.”
Meanwhile, Dublin said: “That’s the thing, find a way to beat them if you think you’re that good.
“Do what you have to do. Come on mate, that’s weak, that’s weak, it’s excuses, it’s not for me at all.”
Pep Guardiola’s post-match comments at odds with what Ruben Dias said
Guardiola, speaking after the game, took a different view to Dias and his comments about Southampton.
The City boss said he respected Simon Rusk’s approach to the game, and stated that it was up to City to deal with the Saints’ tactics.
“No, no, no. Absolutely not,” Guardiola said when asked if he was unhappy with Southampton’s approach.
“They can do whatever they want. For many years here, we faced teams in different approaches, and they decided they have to play. It’s on us to break them.
“In those terms, many times teams have played five in the back or six and the striker has gone on our holding midfielder and there’s no space, it’s difficult.
“You have to break it, and we had the chances. When you review the chances for nothing, we could not score and it happened.
“Now we prepare the [FA Cup] final and now it is next time and Fulham.
“We did not concede one shot on target, and they didn’t do much but we have to accept the way they play, it belongs to Simon and his assistant coaches.
“I don’t agree with Ruben, we have to accept it.”