Manchester City have made their quest for Champions League qualification significantly more complicated than it should be after a disappointing 0-0 draw against a resolute Southampton side on Saturday. In a match that left City fans scratching their heads, even Pep Guardiola admitted he might have got his team selection wrong just ten minutes into the contest.
The Sky Blues, chasing a coveted spot in Europe's elite competition, struggled to unlock a stubborn Southampton defense determined to frustrate the visitors in front of their home faithful on a sunny afternoon.
Adding salt to the wound, the single point secured by Southampton meant they surpassed Derby County's infamous 11-point tally from the 2007/08 season, a fact that will sting City supporters.
This dropped point leaves Manchester City with crucial work to do in their remaining two Premier League fixtures. They now know that victories are essential to guarantee their place at Europe's top table next season.
Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester after the stalemate, Pep Guardiola acknowledged the difficulty his side faced in breaking down a deep-lying Southampton defense.
"Unfortunately we couldn’t score," Guardiola stated immediately after the final whistle. "Our rhythm in the second-half was better especially because we had wingers. In the first-half we could not do it."
The City boss continued, "We miss some players in the final third, we need players for crosses into the box because they defend 11 players in the 18-yard box, it’s not easy. But the players gave everything, defensively so focussed, but unfortunately we could not do it."
Intriguingly, Guardiola appeared to concede that his initial team selection may have been an error, realizing the need for natural wingers early in the match.
"We cannot control what the opponent decides [to do], we have to accept it," Guardiola said regarding Southampton's defensive approach. "And breaking them belongs to us."
"They want to do it in that way, being relegated, so, what can I say? I didn’t expect it, and after 10, 15 minutes I said we need wingers here in that game because we could not expect the game we were playing. And it is what it is."
Guardiola also addressed the performance and fitness of Erling Haaland, who made his first start since recovering from an ankle injury sustained against Bournemouth in the FA Cup quarter-final.
"He’s been four, five weeks off! Today he played 97 minutes," Guardiola explained. "He’s not a player like Phil [Foden] who needs only few training sessions to be fit, he moves his body and needs rhythm. But we have three games and go for it!"
Next up for Manchester City is a third consecutive FA Cup Final against Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium. It remains to be seen whether the disappointing performance against Southampton will influence Pep Guardiola's team selection for the crucial cup clash.