Ruben Dias bizarrely blamed the ‘dry pitch’ in an astonishing rant following Manchester City’s shock goalless draw at Southampton.
City went to St. Mary’s on Saturday expecting to claim an easy win which would have put them level on points with second-placed Arsenal in the table.
But remarkably, Southampton – already relegated and condemned to finish last – heroically kept Pep Guardiola’s side at bay and ensured they will not go down in history as the Premier League’s worst ever team.
The Saints are now on 12 points, one better than the lowest points tally in the competition’s history which was set by Derby County in 2007/08.
It’s a disastrous result for City in the race to qualify for the Champions League and far from ideal preparation ahead of next Saturday’s FA Cup final against Crystal Palace.
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Following the match, Citizens defender spoke to BBC Radio Manchester and launched a lengthy, explosive and at times rather desperate rant, even blaming the weather and pitch conditions for the embarrassing result.
‘We try and we must be better, we must be more dynamic, more quicker,’ the Portugal international said.
‘It was also not easy to be quick because the pitch was just dry with the sun, it was hot. But we need to be better.’
Much of Dias’ anger was focused on Southampton’s defensive tactics and time-wasting antics, with City having 71 per cent possession and 26 shots to the Saints’ two.
He added: ‘In a moment like this, every point matters and it’s obviously frustrating to play against a team like this. They don’t even try anything, they just sit and don’t even want to win the game, they just want to be there.
‘It’s not good for the show, it’s not good for themselves, it’s not good for anyone. But it is what it is. The funny thing is we do what Aaron Ramsdale did once and straight away it’s a yellow card. He does it 20 times and it’s just play on. And obviously this slows the game and it just helps them consistently.
‘I saw a completely different Southampton the last time we played. Yes, we can make them go down, but not like this. I don’t know how many times players went on the floor just trying to waste time, and waste time, and waste time. It kills the rhythm of the game.
‘We’re used to this kind of adversity but normally the other team is at least trying to win, or trying to play. Today was quite the opposite and there was not even a sparkle of them trying to do anything. They were just sitting around.
‘Without being disrespectful and trying to respect the referees as much as we can, but we try and [say to the referee], “Listen, this is just going to slow down the game. This is not what anyone wants, who is watching, whoever”.
‘And obviously we know we’re in a circumstance where we have to attack and they have to sustain, but the way they wasted time today, in some way the referee needs to help us control that time-wasting. People going down for nothing, for no reason. And it happened the whole game. It is what it is.
‘It’s sad that Southampton waste time the way they do and they just want to stop the game and make it as slow as possible because then the grass that is dry and 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.’
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