Pep Guardiola admitted that he did not expect Southampton to defend so deeply if his side of Manchester City was held on Saturday at a 0-0 boring in St Mary's Stadium.
City had 26 shots on the goal, the most they had in the Premier League without scoring since this in July 2020 did against the same opponents in July 2020, but was missing a real cut.
Omar Marmoush broke the bar in the final phase and Aaron Ramsdale was certainly busy when the game progressed, but City finally failed to beat a side that started the Premier League's daily base for the first time since November 2015.
In the meantime, Southampton had only two shots and did not register one on goal in a game where the plan was clearly deep to sit deep.
Thinking about the outcome when he spoke with Sky Sports, Guardiola said: “In the second half we were much better, much more astute, especially with the wing players. We brought players in the box.
“(But) they were so deep. I expected it, but they defended 11 players in that penalty area, and it was not easy to break them down. We needed that quality at the right time. We had four or five chances for the last few minutes, but we could not score.
“What happened is of course when we were on the sides, the full-backs and Wingers (were) completely different, the players in the middle were not much in the box, and we needed the quality. We couldn't do it, they were so defensive, it is hard to break down. Today that was the case.”
Full -time | It ends at the level.
0-0 #Mancity | @okx pic.twitter.com/jbledvtg9d
– Manchester City (@Mancity) 10 May 2025
Erling Haaland was back in the starting line-up for the first time since he injured his ankle at the end of March, but managed only five details in an ineffective first half.
Guardiola, reported by BBC Sport in an extra quote, admitted that he was not going to play the Norway International as long as he did with the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace on the Horizon next Saturday.
“He [Erling Haaland] I didn't expect to play so many minutes, but the way the game was played, we needed people in the box, “Guardiola added.
For Southampton, a point means that they go to 12 and one more than the lowest count ever recorded in a Premier League season by Derby County in 2007-08.
They also held a clean slate in the Premier League against Fulham for the first time since December last year, with a series of 18 games without a single shutout in the competition.
After the game, Ramsdale said in quotes reported by BBC Sport: “We are not happy with how the season has disappeared, but we are happy that we have avoided that record.
“We have no illusions that it is not great points. The fans are happy in the sun, smiling.
“Everyone knows that it has been a difficult season for us. It was for fans and also the boys who gave everything. Much Monday who come in after heavy defeats. Today is a relief.
“When Rusky (interim manager Simon Rusk) entered, he asked us to be extraordinary concentration and personality, and we showed that in abundance today.
“Credit to the boys and the way they defended. We made it difficult for them.”
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