Caraboa Cup: "We did not practice penalties before beating Brighton"

Carabao Cup: “We did not practice penalties before beating Brighton” – Enzo Maresca

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has revealed his team did not practise penalties before their Carabao Cup round of 16 clash against Brighton.

City advanced to the quarter-finals with a 4-3 penalty shootout victory after a 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium, with backup goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli making two saves in the shootout.

The defending champions made nine changes to their starting lineup but still overcame a difficult Brighton test to keep their title defence on track.

City have since been drawn against League One side Bradford City in the quarter-finals.

“To be honest, since I’ve been here we never practiced penalties.”

Geronimo Rulli of Manchester City celebrates winning the penalty shootout after the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

“We’re very happy with the five, even Mateo. It always happens, the one that scored during the 90 minutes, and then misses the penalty.”

Rayan Cherki of Manchester City celebrates with teammates after his side’s victory in the penalty shootout during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion (Photo by Declan Lloyd/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)

“I was happy with the way we planned the game, with the rotation, and especially I was very, very, very happy with the ones that were playing” Maresca said.