Manchester City defender Ruben Dias unleashed a bizarre rant after his side’s 0-0 draw with Southampton, accusing their opponents of ‘not wanting to win’.
City missed the chance to move level on points with second-placed Arsenal and delivered a blunt attacking display against the already-relegated hosts – who are resigned to a rock-bottom finish – despite Erling Haaland’s return.
Saints goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was untroubled for much of the contest but was finally called into action as he clawed away a header from the irritated Dias.
Omar Marmoush later cracked the woodwork with a long-range effort, condemning City to costly dropped points in the race for the Champions League while the Saints ensured they will not go down in history as the top-flight’s worst-ever side.
Post-match, Dias criticised the home side’s stubborn resistance, believing they purposefully slowed the game down and didn’t try to win the game.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘It’s frustrating, obviously in a moment like this every point matters. And it is obviously frustrating to play against a team like this.
Manchester City defender Ruben Dias hit out at Southampton for not ‘wanting to win’
City were held to a goalless draw at St Mary’s despite the return of Erling Haaland
But Pep Guardiola disagreed with Dias, declaring Saints can play however they wish
‘They don’t even try anything, they just sit and they don’t even want to win the game. They just want to be there. It is no good for the show and no good for themselves.
‘It is no good for anyone but it is what it is.
‘I saw a completely different team the last time we played.
‘I don’t know how many times players went on the floor to try and waste time and waste time and waste time. It kills the rhythm of the game.’
The defender also took aim at the ‘dry’ St Mary’s pitch, adding: ‘It’s sad that Southampton waste time the way they do. They just want to stop the game and make it as slow as possible because then the grass that is dry.
‘All those things that makes the game slower and slower and we have to fight against it, and try and make it as quick as possible because it’s the way to get in.’
Pep Guardiola, however, disagreed with Dias’ verdict.
Responding to the comments, the City boss said: ‘No, no, no. Absolutely not. 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.
Dias also placed the blame for City’s blunt attacking display on the ‘dry’ surface
The result proved costly for City in the race to secure a place in the Champions League
‘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.
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‘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 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 [Rusk] and his assistant coaches. I don’t agree with Ruben, we have to accept it.’
Southampton made a cheeky reference to Dias’ outburst, tweeting: ‘A point without even trying to play’ alongside two photos of smiling players after the final whistle.
