Pep Guardiola blames the FA Cup BALL for Man City’s striking woes against Plymouth despite win – echoing Mikel Arteta’s frustrations this season

Pep Guardiola hit out at the FA Cup ball and suggested that it is not fit for purpose following Manchester City’s come-from-behind win against Championship side Plymouth Argyle.

Teenager Nico O’Reilly spared Guardiola and City’s blushes with a brace but it was the ball, manufactured by Mitre Sports, that was forefront of Guardiola’s mind after the 3-1 win.

City saw a number of efforts – 10 in total – fly over the bar or wide of the target with Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Rico Lewis among those struggling to keep it under control.

‘Normally the ball goes inside from these shots. It’s difficult to control it,’ Guardiola said.

‘Many years, many players and managers say about that. When you lose it [sounds like] you’re complaining but the ball is not right. I’m sorry.

‘In many years it’s happened in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, I know it’s a business and they come to agreements.’

The Championship side took a first-half lead through Maksym Talovierov following a corner

Man City recovered in the second half to win but nevertheless City saw a number of efforts – 10 in total – fly over the bar or wide of the target as players struggled to keep control of the ball

Pressed on whether he has personally lobbied for the ball to be changed, Guardiola added: ‘I’ve said it for many years.

‘I’d like to play Champions League when we play on Wednesday, we play on Saturday.. play on Sunday. There are things out of our control.

‘I’ve said my opinion and the people say fine or not fine. We won so people will be nice to me but if we lose I would think the same.

‘I would not say it because I don’t want to be punished but it’s the truth. The Champions League ball is exceptional, the Premier League ball is exceptional, but this one is not good.’

Mitre describe the ball as ‘featuring Hyperflow debossed grooves across the ball, for incredible flight consistency across all speeds.’

They also add that the ball is FIFA quality approved and teams using it can ‘play like the best in the game with unbeatable quality’. Mitre did not respond last night to a request for comment.

Guardiola’s gripes follow on from Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who took aim at the Puma ball used in the Carabao Cup following semi-final defeat to Newcastle in January.

Arteta even suggested the ball could have contributed to their defeat because it is different to the Nike balls used in the Premier League.

Strongly criticised by Guardiola after the game, Mitre describe the ball as ‘featuring Hyperflow debossed grooves across the ball, for incredible flight consistency across all speeds.’

Guardiola’s gripes follow on from Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who took aim at the Puma ball used in the Carabao Cup following semi-final defeat to Newcastle back in January

In brighter news for Guardiola and City, he hinted that Rodri may make a return to action in the Premier League before the season is out.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner has been sidelined since picking up an ACL injury in the draw to Arsenal back in September and he was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the season and likely Club World Cup over the summer.

But Guardiola is becoming increasingly optimistic that his main man in midfield may make a recovery far quicker than City staff imagined.

‘The fans must know they are not the only ones who are excited,’ Guardiola added.

‘But one step at a time, we don’t have to make stupid decisions to come from weeks earlier. It’s good but still he’s not close to coming back I’d say.

‘He’s touching the ball today, in the locker room making touches with the players.

‘He feels confident, he feels more happy. I could not expect before [him to return] before the end of the season, not even the [Club] World Cup, but in the Premier League maybe it’s going to happen.’