KEVIN DE BRUYNE says he “can’t comprehend” how Manchester City contrived to lose 1-0 to Manchester United on Wednesday night — but believes nobody will care as long as they win the Carabao Cup.
A 3-1 aggregate lead going into the second leg of their semi-final proved enough for City, who will now face Aston Villa at Wembley on 1 March.
Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero had goals ruled out for offside during a performance where City dazzled at times without ever managing to find a way through.
Nemanja Matic’s fine strike was the only goal of the game, with the Serbia international later sent off for two yellow cards.
“I can’t really comprehend how we lost this game,” De Bruyne told Sky Sports.
For me, United didn’t even have one chance today. In [attack] we were way too wasteful today.
“I think we have to learn from this but in the end, it’s good that we are going to the final.”
The result on the night meant United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer became the first manager to beat Pep Guardiola’s City twice at the Etihad Stadium.
However, while United took great heart from their 2-1 Premier League win back in December, their second win there this season eventually counted for nothing.
United only had two shots on target in 90 minutes, one of which was Matic’s bolt from the blue.
“I think we got sloppy,” De Bruyne added.
“The goal is…we didn’t clear the lines very well and out of nothing they just scored.
“I think you can tell me if United had one more chance in the game; even at the end they didn’t do anything.
“But yeah, with a one-all score they only need one chance to make a goal but, in the end, we fought when we had to. We need to learn from the mistakes.”
Asked if the defeat on the night spoiled the achievement of reaching the final, De Bruyne was blunt.
“No, of course not,” he replied.
If you win the final, nobody will talk about this game. It’s not nice and we should have done better, but it’s the way it goes sometimes.”
City are looking to retain their Carabao Cup crown, having beaten Chelsea on penalties in last season’s final.
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Doesn’t matter we are going to win anyway simple!!!!
@rowan hill: And ye call leinster fans cocky!
@Bazalicous Dunne: They are going to win, Toulouse are 9th in the Top 14 right now and are terrible when playing away from home.
@Rudiger McMonihan: I do agree to be fair.. munster by 18.
Bonus having David out but with Bezy fit and Dusautoir rested it’s looking more and more like Toulouse could be up for this one; here’s hoping Rassie saves the best for this
Tough for Toulouse to compete when Munster can just sign up Springboks whenever someone gets hurt
@garland greene: indeed, Toulouse are well known as being the paupers of European rugby.
@garland greene: u must have been abused by a south african as a child
@garland greene: this is why we need red thumbs, because of tools like garland greene and all his previous incarnations.
@Padraic Courtney: Disagree. Garland is exactly the reason we don’t need red thumbs, they are his viagra.
Tbh lads I think I play moreno lb and milner to replace lallana. You’ll have two players who know the position so klopp won’t have to teach anyone a new position in the next 3 days and Everton won’t be as threating down the rigth with coalman’s injury. Give moreno these next few game and if he can’t cut it get rid.
@Lorcán Coyle: why the he’ll did my comment end up here. Sort it out.
@Lorcán Coyle: I know your comment ended up in the wrong section but I’d say Henderson will come back in for Lallana…