Pep Guardiola slams Carabao Cup Mitre football as reason for Manchester City’s struggle against Championship-side Wolves

PEP GUARDIOLA blasted the Carabao Cup Mitre football for Manchester City’s struggles against Championship side Wolves.

Claudio Bravo was the hero when he saved two penalties and Sergio Aguero netted a cheeky Panenka to book their spot in the quarter-finals.

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Both teams had a load of chances to win it in normal time with Bright Enobakhare forcing some fine saves from Bravo.

But a furious Guardiola blamed his side’s battle of attrition on the ball – used in all Football League matches – and not a bad night at the office for the Premier League leaders.

City started Aguero and Gabriel Jesus but were held to 0-0 after 120 minutes.

And Guardiola said of the ball: “It is not acceptable, the ball was unacceptable for a high-level competition.

PA:Press Association

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“It is too light, it moves all over the place, it is not a good ball.

“It is impossible to score with a ball like that and I say that because we won, I’m not making excuses.

“All of my players said: ‘What is that?’

“I’m sorry Carabao Cup is not a serious ball for a serious competition.

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“It’s [for] marketing, money, OK but it’s not acceptable – [it has] no weight, nothing.”