INSIDE PEP GUARDIOLA’S "UNDERDOG" STRATEGY THAT SECURED CITY’S RECORD FIFTH LEAGUE CUP
Nico O’Reilly celebrated his 21st birthday by leading Manchester City to victory over Arsenal in the Wembley final.
Manchester City ended Arsenal’s push for a historic quadruple, with Pep Guardiola hinting there’s still plenty to come from his youthful squad after clinching a record fifth League Cup.
Nico O’Reilly, a homegrown talent, netted both goals at Wembley, earning praise from Guardiola, who called him "extraordinary".
Guardiola admitted his team were clear underdogs but sees this Carabao Cup win as a stepping stone. "Nobody, not even me, would have bet a pound on us today,” he said. Arsenal were on an incredible run. We hadn’t beaten Nottingham Forest at home or West Ham away. We’d lost heavily to Real Madrid. Very few believed we could pull this off, but the players showed otherwise, both the veterans and the newcomers.”
He went on to express his optimism for the squad’s future, saying, “I can sense how this team can develop. I told the players that this is their first final for some of them. Ten years ago, it was the same situation. You never know how they’ll respond. It’s a valuable experience. We need it.”
Guardiola was candid about the team’s progress, adding, “When a group wins repeatedly, it changes your mindset. They start to believe it’s possible. But we still have to prove what kind of team we can be. We’re not there yet. It takes time. Hopefully, by the end of this season or next, we’ll get there.”
He brushed off suggestions that this win shakes up the Premier League title race. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta urged his players to refocus as they approach the season’s conclusion.
“We’re very sad; this is tough, especially for our players and supporters who wanted it so badly,” Arteta said. “Not delivering is disappointing and leaves a bitter taste. But if we look back at what the team has achieved over eight months, it’s been incredible. We’ll channel this disappointment into energy for what’s ahead. That fire will fuel us through the next two months. That’s our responsibility now. We’ll manage this pain; it’s part of the game.”
Arteta stood by his decision to start goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga despite the error that led to City’s opener. He also confirmed Eberechi Eze will miss international duty with a calf injury, while O’Reilly heads to England camp carrying the confidence from a breakthrough season.
Guardiola’s praise for O’Reilly didn’t stop at his goals. “Nico has surprised even me. The season he’s had is extraordinary. He played holding midfield at Newcastle and was outstanding against players like Tonali, Bruno, and Joelinton. Honestly, he might be our signing of the season.”
O’Reilly, who turned 21 that weekend, shared his excitement: “It’s an unbelievable feeling. To win a final and beat a team like Arsenal, who are so good, gives us momentum. Seeing the fans celebrate after my goals was a bit surreal, a great way to spend my birthday weekend.”
He added, “I’ve always played midfield since I was a kid, arriving late in the box and scoring. Bringing that to a senior level, especially at this stage, is really satisfying and adds a new dimension to my game. It feels great.”
BERNARDO SILVA TRANSFER SAGA TAKES A TURN AS GUARDIOLA REVEALS PRIVATE FRUSTRATIONS
Pep Guardiola issues a stark warning to Man City before Chelsea. Get the latest on Bernardo Silva's future and injuries.
Pep Guardiola isn’t downplaying the importance of Sunday’s match at Stamford Bridge. City’s chasing Arsenal, nine points back with a game in hand. And since Arsenal still has to come to the Etihad, that clash could be the real turning point for the title.
Talking to reporters before the game, Guardiola didn’t sugarcoat how tough things are. “We need a lot of points if we want to keep our title hopes alive. I’ve picked up lots of yellow cards myself, which shows how intense we’re playing right now,” he said.
He admitted City hasn’t hit the standards he expects. “We really need these points. We’ve dropped plenty this season, some in games we should have won, and now there’s just no margin to slip up again.”
As for injuries, things aren’t ideal. Ruben Dias is getting better, but won’t make it for Chelsea. John Stones is only joining in on part of the training, and Gvardiol’s still nowhere near 100%.
On the subject of Bernardo Silva’s future, Guardiola just shrugged. “I’m annoyed with him, honestly. I told him a month ago, ‘Let me be the first to know what you’re doing,’ and here we are, still nothing. I even joked about it, but he kept quiet, so I really don’t know what’s happening.”
He went on, “Bernardo’s a top talent, anyway you measure it. I’ve had him for nine years, and he barely ever misses games, always fit. He reads the game perfectly, pitches in everywhere, always gives us composure.”
The City boss also said, “Handing him the captain’s armband this season was the best call I made. He’s not the tallest guy or the flashiest goal-scorer. But he’s brave, brings his personality every time, lifts everyone, and I would love nothing more than to see him finish his career here.”
Guardiola summed up leadership simply: “Just put the team before yourself. People talk about putting the nation first, but you don’t always see it. With Bernardo, City always comes first.”
One more thing, he’s every coach’s dream because he can play pretty much anywhere, except in goal, and he just gets tactics. Guardiola remembered, “He played as a winger in the year we did the treble, that was massive for us.”
“He’s not going to bang in a bunch of goals or constantly run in behind. What he does do is control the tempo and make every play matter. Players change over time, but his tactical instinct is something you rarely see.”
FABRIZIO ROMANO REVEALS MAN CITY’S SECRET PURSUIT OF HERTHA STAR KENNET EICHHORN
Man City joins the race for Kennet Eichhorn. Discover why Rodri could leave for Real Madrid in a £50m summer deal.
Man City are looking at a Bundesliga wonderkid as they head into summer.
They’re known for spotting young talent across Europe and turning them into Premier League stars. This summer, that skill becomes even more important, as they might need to fill the shoes of one of their very best players.
Rodri’s contract is up in June 2027, and if City don’t work out a new deal, he could walk away for nothing after next season. City won’t want to lose him on a free, so selling him this summer looks like a real option.
Fabrizio Romano says Man City are watching Hertha Berlin’s Kennet Eichhorn, a young midfielder who’s catching a lot of attention. On X, Romano posted: “Manchester City join the race with Bundesliga and Premier League clubs for German gem Kennet Eichhorn. Sixteen-year-old talent is seen as an interesting profile with Man City, one more PL club and Bundesliga giants on it. One to watch next month.”
Eichhorn’s already made a name for himself with Hertha Berlin’s first team. Fifteen appearances this season, a goal in the domestic cup, he looks every bit a future star. Top German sides like Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, and Eintracht Frankfurt are interested too, showing just how good this kid is.
City could realistically sell Rodri for about £50 million. Here’s how one source put it: “Honestly, the best City can hope for is a one-year extension. But a lot depends on whether Real Madrid want to pay, say, £50m, that’s probably the number City would listen to. It’s not really a surprise he’s thinking about Spain again after the injury, the intensity of the Premier League, and the fact he’s pretty much won it all here. He’ll be 30 this summer, even though sometimes it’s hard to believe. Now’s just a natural time for him to think about his next move.”
