Ruben Dias ‘stupid’ and ‘bitter’ after Man City rage at Southampton
Ruben Dias has been heavily criticised for his angry reaction to the goalless draw Man City were held to at Southampton.
City were held to a 0-0 draw by the Saints, which ensured the south coast side didn’t finish the season as the joint-worst Premier League side in history.
After the game, Dias launched a furious tirade about Southampton’s style of play, claiming that the already relegated side hadn’t even tried to play football.
Man City have had a difficult season as they failed to defend their Premier League title, but despite their latest draw they still have a good chance of finishing in a Champions League position.
Pep Guardiola’s side sit fourth in the league, two points clear of Aston Villa in sixth with only two games to go.
Dias berated by Jason Cundy for Southampton rant
Dias claimed that Southampton hadn’t tried to win the game, and the defender was frustrated with their time-wasting throughout.
The Saints didn’t have a single shot on target in the game, won only one corner, and had just 28% possession.
Speaking live on talkSPORT (10 May), former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy labelled Dias as “stupid” for what he said post match, saying: “Do you know what Ruben? You are playing one of the worst sides in Premier League history, you are Manchester City, do not come on and start criticising the tactics of the opposition, it makes you look stupid.
Cundy added: “It’s their job to play against sides that sit deep and defend the way they (Southampton) did. It’s not the first time he’s (Dias) come out and said things like that, he’s got that in the locker, to come out and be bitter.”
Man City struggles evident in Dias rant
Of course, Dias is absolutely correct in his statement that Southampton didn’t try to play football throughout the game, but the Portuguese international is naive if he expected them to do so.
Simon Rusk’s side were fighting for their life to make sure they weren’t labelled as the worst Premier League team ever, and they succeeded in their goal.
The Saints now have 12 points from this campaign, one more than Derby’s record-breaking side of 2007/08.
Man City have been far from their best throughout the whole season, and this game was just another example of them not taking their chances.
| Stats | Man City | Southampton |
| Goals | 0 | 0 |
| Shots | 26 | 2 |
| Shots on Target | 5 | 0 |
| Corners | 15 | 1 |
| xG | 1.89 | 0.11 |
Guardiola’s side had 26 shots and 15 corners, but only managed five shots on target, and failed to find a way past West Ham target Aaron Ramsdale.
The Citizens should get Champions League football, but will need a reset in the summer if they want to challenge for the title next year.