Gianluigi Donnarumma will not start in the League Cup final against Arsenal. Manchester City’s second goalkeeper James Trafford will replace him for the occasion.
James Trafford will start in goal for Manchester City for the League Cup final against Arsenal, coach Pep Guardiola announced on Friday. The 23-year-old, trained at the club, returned in July and played in the first three Premier League games of the season, but has since found himself in second position following the arrival of Italian Gianluigi Donnarumma on the final day of the transfer window.
Since then, Trafford has mostly started in the League Cup and FA Cup, and he said last month that he did not expect to be City’s second goalkeeper this season. During his press conference on Friday, Guardiola confirmed the Trafford start and, when asked about the goalkeeper’s comments regarding his limited playing time, he replied: ” GOOD. Nothing to say. Players can be happy or unhappy, that’s how it is. We have to give our best when they are fit, and then we will see what happens at the end of the season.”.
Skip the ad
Pep Guardiola, who arrived on the Manchester City bench in 2016, will try to win his fifth League Cup on Sunday, against Arsenal in the final at Wembley, a stadium which is dear to him. “We have played at Wembley 22 times in 10 years, it’s an honor and a great challenge”said the Spaniard, who also won two FA Cups and three Community Shields in this arena. “For the team, it’s a great moment. Reaching the final, whatever the competition, is always difficult. We see the level in Europe, in other championships and in all competitions. Being here is an incredible opportunity, because you never know when she will show up again. »
A great opportunity
City have failed to win any of their last six games against Arsenal in all competitions and have failed to catch the London club in the race for the Premier League title this season. “They have mastered many aspects of the game. Winning for years gives them a boost, and we see great solidarity in all areas”Guardiola estimated.
“They control the game, defend low, build high, play long, recover second balls well… They have a lot of qualities. Their construction is fluid, they do not follow a rigid pattern, they are more fluid. said the 55-year-old coach, admiringly. “In the Champions League, they won all their group matches and drew the last one against Bayer Leverkusen. In the Premier League, they have only lost three games. It’s an exceptional team, and it’s a big challenge for us to see how well we can measure up. »
Leave a Reply