Ruben Dias left FUMING with Southampton after “not even trying anything” in 0-0 draw with Manchester City | OneFootball

Manchester City defender Ruben Dias has been left fuming with the manner of Southampton’s performance against Pep Guardiola’s side on Saturday.

It was yet more disappointment and frustration for the visitors on the south coast as Manchester City’s pursuit of a top-five finish and UEFA Champions League qualification became further complicated by their failure to break the deadlock.

A stern Southampton defence created a bank of five defensive men and five players in front of them deep in and around their own penalty area, forcing Manchester City to be patient and work tirelessly to cut through.

Unfortunately for Pep Guardiola’s side, and despite the introduction of the likes of Jeremy Doku, Savinho, and Nico O’Reilly, no such goal would come and City were forced to settle for one solitary point with two Premier League matches remaining this season.

Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester after City’s 0-0 draw on the road at Southampton, Ruben Dias did not shy away from showing his frustration at the manner of the host’s performance and the tactics they deployed to secure a point.

“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,” Dias fumed. “And 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.”

He continued, “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… But anyway, we had our chances, we tried to get in, tried to be versatile, tried to be flexible, that’s our job. But it was not easy to get in.”

Reflecting on the side Manchester City played in the reverse fixture led by Russell Martin at the Etihad Stadium, Ruben Dias said, “I saw a completely different team the last time… I don’t know how many times players went on the floor just trying to waste time, and waste time, and waste time.

“I mean, it kills the rhythm of the game. Obviously we still go against it and try and look for our chances, we have to do what we must. But it’s just frustrating.

“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. And obviously it makes it more difficult to get in.”

The Portuguese central defender was asked whether he vented any of his issues with the match officials on the south coast led by Tim Robinson on the pitch, to which Dias said, “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.”

Manchester City’s vice-captain also took issue with the pitch conditions on the day, as he closed, “It’s sad that they 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.”

Manchester City will hope to recover as soon as possible and get their preparations underway ahead of next weekend, when they take on Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium in the 2025 FA Cup Final – their third consecutive appearance at that stage of the competition.