Enzo Maresca revealed that Manchester City had not rehearsed their penalty routine ahead of their Carabao Cup clash with Brighton, a detail that adds a layer of intrigue to their dramatic 4-3 shoot-out victory. The holders advanced to the quarter-finals after a tense 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium, where they twice overcame deficits to force the decider. Maresca candidly admitted, “To be honest, since I’ve been here we never practised penalties,” highlighting the raw nerve required by his squad in a high-pressure knockout setting.
Geronimo Rulli’s heroics secure quarter-final spot despite untested spot-kick routine
The match was defined by resilience and individual brilliance, as City’s backup goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli emerged as the match-winner. After the regulation and extra-time stalemate, Rulli produced two crucial saves to deny Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk, sealing the win for the champions. On the offensive end, Phil Foden, Enzo Fernandez, Jeremy Doku, and Rayan Cherki all converted their spot-kicks, while Mateo Kovacic’s miss proved inconsequential due to Rulli’s decisive interventions.
This victory underscores Maresca’s ability to manage high-stakes scenarios without relying on rigid preparation, a testament to the squad’s depth and composure. With the quarter-finals approaching, City will look to build on this momentum, having demonstrated their capacity to recover from behind and perform under pressure. The result cements their status as serious contenders in the competition, even if the path to the final remains fraught with challenges.
Source: The Independent Sport
