RALPH Hasenhuttl insisted his Saints team can be proud of their performance despite a 4-1 defeat to Manchester City, suggesting that “everybody in the stadium enjoyed the game”. The St Mary’s outfit were denied a trip to Wembley Stadium after a second-half demolition by Pep Guardiola’s side, thanks to goals from substitutes Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez. Supporters were filled with hope through some good passages and memories of the two draws with City earlier this season, but ultimately left deflated with no semi-final to look forward to. However, the defiant boss was asked if there was any risk of this defeat deflating the squad
Ralph Hasenhüttl said: “No, not a minimum of damage I think because we can be proud today of what we have done, I must say. I have not seen so many teams play against Man City like we did today to be honest. This is very positive for me and shows what we are able to do. I think everybody in the stadium enjoyed the game, everybody saw a team fighting for everything, worked very good against the ball and tried everything, it is super tough against them and they never found the rhythm to play until the third goal. Then they break your mentality, and also in the first-half they wanted to go for the second goal immediately but we equalised and the game was open again. This is what you have to do against them, you must try to be brave and play football in the right moments. Very proud of what they have done today.”
