Southampton are putting in the last pieces of preparation ahead of their FA Cup semi-final game against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at Wembley Stadium.
Saints’ German head coach Tonda Eckert, 33, spoke to the media on Thursday afternoon, offering hints about his team selection, the task at hand, and more.
Team selection setbacks
The Saints have suffered a last-minute setback ahead of the semi-final, with midfielder Flynn Downes being hit with a retrospective three-match ban for an incident at Swansea City.
Downes will miss the games against Manchester City, Ipswich and Preston - and will only return for the play-offs (should Saints confirm their spot).
Tonda Eckert spoke about his disappointment with the decision, but understood it. “I think that we have shown that we are able to find ways to play without key players. It might change the approach a bit, but we just need to make sure we adapt in some moments.”
Eckert then spoke in defence of Downes, saying, “In everything he does he is full of energy, but it’s never, ever in bad intention. He tries to protect himself and shield the ball, it looks different when it’s a player that’s shorter than him. There’s no bad intention.”
Southampton will also be without defender Ryan Manning at Wembley, and Eckert was asked about the chances of Brazilian Welington coming in to deputise. “Let’s see who starts. Ryan has been very good lately, very committed and driven. I’m sure we’ll have a solution for Saturday.”
The Saints were without Downes and Japanese midfielder Kuryu Matsuki through suspension in their quarter-final game against Arsenal, but it did not halt them. Squad rotation has been key in their unbeaten run, which now stands at 20 games.
A clash with Pep Guardiola
Tonda Eckert will go up against one of football’s greats on Saturday afternoon, in Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola. As well as the Cityzens, the Spaniard has managed the likes of Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona, and has never gone more than a year without a league title in his managerial career.
Tonda Eckert praised the legendary Guardiola, saying, “What I like about him is the humility with which he approaches every single game. He’s shown how to do that over many seasons. He looks very composed at this part of the season.”
But Eckert won’t be phased by the big occasion and will focus on the task at hand. “I don’t go there for the experience. I don’t go there to be a spectator. We go there to challenge,” the Saints boss told the media.
The German head coach knows the task at hand and will get his messages across to the Southampton players after an in-depth analysis of where Saints can hurt Manchester City.
On what will be a momentous occasion for Southampton Football Club, fifty years on from their FA Cup victory, the yellow and blue wall at Wembley Stadium will be right behind the team.
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