BLACK AND BLUEBIRDS
FA CUP Pep urges refs to act after horror tackle on Sane BRUISING BATTLE
PEP GUARDIOLA pleaded for referees to protect football’s “artists” after the Bluebirds’ brutal treatment of Leroy Sane – and even the German FA joined in.
The City winger could miss the League Cup Final with an ankle injury after a horror tackle by Joe Bennett.
After revealing his Germany star is set to be out for a month, Guardiola said: “The only thing they have to do is protect the players. Not the Manchester City players – the players.
“Protect the players. Or it will happen again. So please. For football in general, the players they are the artists, you have to take care of them. That’s why you are here and why I’m here.
“Do I fear a player will be seriously injured? Of course. Not my players, the players in general. Every team can play how they want.
“If they decide to play in that way, perfect. But one man in black he has to decide what is correct and incorrect.”
Germany’s official Twitter account posted: “Hey, @CardiffCityFC. Just letting you know, we have a really important tournament in the summer. Please don’t hurt our players. Thanks, #DieMannschaft #inSane.”
Kevin de Bruyne netted an early free-kick before Raheem Sterling headed home his 19th goal of the season to keep City’s quadruple bid alive.
But Guardiola added: “When you say: ‘Why don’t you win the four titles?’ I need the players to win the four titles. It is impossible for that to happen.
“When I said the Invincibles, that is not going to happen. The same. It is an illusion to think we can win all four. With this schedule it’s impossible.”
Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock hit back over the tackles and told the Catalan he should expect such tactics in English football.
He said: “They dished out a bit as well. I think they had one or two naughty tackles. He’s in England, isn’t he? What do you expect?
“I suppose when you’re like that you want everything to be nice and pretty but you don’t get that in England. You get different challenges, don’t you?”
Bennett scythed down Sane just before half-time and received only a booking from Lee Mason.
But he was dismissed in second-half injury-time for another foul on sub Brahim Diaz.
Warnock added: “They’re so quick, that’s the problem. You think you’re there then all of a sudden it’s gone.
“I was disappointed. He obviously didn’t want to go to Leeds next week. That’s the only thing I can think of because the tackle’s absolutely pathetic.
“When you’re on a booking to do something like that is disrespectful to your team-mates. He will be training morning, noon and night, I tell you.”
CARDIFF ...................... MAN CITY ..................... NEIL McLEMAN