Rúben Dias was visibly frustrated after Manchester City were held to a goalless draw by Southampton, expressing strong disapproval over what he described as negative and time-wasting tactics from their opponents. City dominated possession and territory throughout the match but failed to break down a resolute Southampton defence that showed little ambition to attack, managing just two off-target shots and only 28% of the ball.
The draw leaves Manchester City in a precarious position in the race for a top-five finish and Champions League qualification, adding to the tension in the dressing room. Dias, a key figure in City’s backline, didn’t hold back in his assessment of Southampton’s approach. He lamented the lack of intent from the opposition, suggesting it was bad for the game and did a disservice to both teams and the fans.
“In a moment like this, every point matters,” said Dias. “It’s frustrating to play against a team like this. They don’t even try to play, they just sit back and aren’t interested in winning. They just want to be there. It’s no good for the show and it’s no good for themselves.”
He also criticized Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale for excessive time-wasting and claimed that several players repeatedly went down to disrupt the flow of the game. “I saw a completely different team the last time we played them. This time, it felt like every time we built some momentum, there was another delay. It kills the rhythm of the game.”
Despite his frustration, Dias acknowledged that City still had to take responsibility. “We must be better. We need to be more dynamic, quicker, and more precise. It’s not easy to play against a team that behaves this way, but it’s our job to break through.”
While Dias aired his grievances, his manager took a more measured stance. Pep Guardiola was quick to dismiss the criticism of Southampton’s tactics, emphasizing that it was City’s responsibility to adapt and find solutions. “They can do whatever they want,” he said. “For many years, we’ve faced different styles. It’s part of the game. It’s up to us to find the space and create the opportunities.”
Guardiola pointed out that, although Southampton didn’t pose much of a threat offensively, his side needed to do more with the chances they created. “They didn’t have a shot on target, but we still have to break them down. We had our moments, but we couldn’t finish. That’s football. It belongs to the manager and his staff to choose their strategy. I don’t agree with Rúben.”
Southampton’s interim manager, Simon Rusk, could take pride in his team’s defensive effort and the point earned. Taking charge for the second time this season following the dismissal of Ivan Juric in early April, Rusk admitted his team had set out to frustrate City and protect their goal. The result, although uninspiring for neutrals, lifted Southampton off the ignominy of being statistically the worst team in Premier League history. With the draw, they reached 12 points, surpassing Derby County’s record-low of 11 from the 2007-08 season.
Rusk defended his pragmatic approach, noting the vast financial disparity between the two clubs. “If we go toe-to-toe with City, we lose. We’ve got a fifth of their budget. We have to find our way, and that’s OK. We did want to frustrate them. In a way, Dias’s comments are a back-handed compliment.”
The contrasting reactions from Dias and Guardiola highlight the tension between the desire to see entertaining football and the need to achieve results, however they come.
