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Ivory CoastMaresca reveals Man City skipped spot kick practice before cup win
Enzo Maresca admitted Manchester City did not practice spot kicks before beating Brighton on penalties in the Carabao Cup.
No penalty practice at the Etihad
Manchester City reached the Carabao Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday after a 2-2 draw with Brighton led to a 4-3 shootout victory. Backup goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli made two saves to secure the win.
After the match, manager Enzo Maresca revealed that his squad had not prepared for spot kicks at all. He said that since he arrived at the club, the team has never practiced penalties.
Phil Foden, Enzo Fernández, Jérémy Doku, and Rayan Cherki scored their penalties. Mateo Kovacic missed his attempt after scoring during the match. Maresca noted that it often happens where a player who scores in regulation misses in the shootout. Rulli then saved efforts from Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk to seal the victory.
Comebacks and key changes
Brighton took the lead before halftime through Malick Yalcouyé. Kovacic equalized before Georginio Rutter put the visitors back ahead. Rutter nearly extended the lead when Rulli tipped his shot onto the crossbar.
City turned the momentum after Jérémy Doku came off the bench. Vitor Reis turned in a free kick from Rayan Cherki to make it 2-2. Maresca made nine changes for the match and rested key players like Erling Haaland, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Rúben Dias, Elliot Anderson, and Josko Gvardiol.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler said his team had enough chances to win, but noted that City had the luck on the day. Hurzeler added that Brighton will look for revenge when the teams meet again on Saturday.
What it means for the next game
Here are the numbers for the upcoming matches.
Manchester City vs Brighton & Hove Albion (Premier League, Sat, 31 Oct): Manchester City win 56%, draw 22%, Brighton & Hove Albion win 22%; expected goals 2.08 to 1.24. Our safest pick: Over 1.5 goals.
RB Leipzig vs Manchester City (Champions League, Wed, 04 Nov): RB Leipzig win 29%, draw 23%, Manchester City win 48%; expected goals 1.45 to 1.90. Our safest pick: Over 1.5 goals.
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