It was just one of those days, says Akanji | OneFootball

Manuel Akanji believes it was one of those days where the ball just would not go in the net for City, after the Blues were held to a goalless Premier League draw by relegated Southampton.

The Swiss international was recalled to the starting team in the Premier League by Pep Guardiola for the first time since early February, following a spell on the sidelines due to injury.

City pushed and probed for a goal, coming closest when Omar Marmoush clattered the crossbar with a superb strike as the clock ticked into stoppage time at the end of the game.

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Headers from Akanji and Ruben Dias were smartly saved by Saints' goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale earlier on in the second period, whilst defender Jack Stephens hooked away Bernardo Silva's effort just a couple of yards away from goal.

However, despite having 72% possession, 13 total shots and 15 corners, Pep's side couldn't force in a winner.

"The effort was there. We tried everything," said Akanji in his post-match interview at St Mary's Stadium.

"We tried to score a goal. We also had some chances that maybe we should have scored. We kept on trying and it just didn’t want to go in today. It wasn’t easy. If we played maybe one or two better passes, or had a better finish at the end, then we might have scored. But it was one of those days it didn’t want to go in.

"You can’t go all in on the first 15 minutes of the game. You have to manage the game and then they get tired. It was easier in the second half than the first. We tried from the first minute and we had chances, not so many 100% chances, but still chances to score.

"They didn’t want to go in. They did a lot of good blocks and saves from the goalkeeper as well. Today we gave everything.

"They gave everything today too, maybe it’s one of their last games in the Premier League and wanted to show up in front of their fans. In the end we still had to find a way to score a goal and win the game."

The point means City remain third with 65 points, but opens the door for the chasing pack to make up ground in the battle for a top five finish and Champions League qualification for next season.

Despite the result, Akanji pointed to the fact that finishing in the top five is still firmly in our own hands with two matches left to play.

"With a win today we could have made a huge step and maybe would have been in already because a few teams around us have to play each other," he said.

"The good thing is it is still in our own hands. We play our next Premier League game at home against Bournemouth. If we win that, it might look different.

"First, we have to focus on the FA Cup final."