Derby blues fuel Gab in shot at Euro glory
GABRIEL Jesus says City were ‘annoyed’ by their derby defeat.
But the Brazilian striker insists it will not define their season as they close in on the Premier League title and look to overturn Liverpool’s 3-0 advantage in the Champions League quarter-finals.
City go into the second leg of that tie at the Etihad tonight having been stung by their 3-2 defeat to United despite dominating much of the game.
And they will use their anger to fuel their bid to see off Liverpool.
“It’s difficult to talk now, after a result like this,” he said. “We are annoyed, I think disappointed is the right word. We were having control of the game, we did an amazing first half.
“We could have scored more goals, we had chances, we dominated overall. But we were also aware they are a very well-trained team. They have very experienced players, unlike us, we are a younger team.
“But that’s football. Football is an exciting sport because of these things. It was the Manchester derby and we didn’t kill the game when we had the chance and, unfortunately, we didn’t manage to win.
“It’s difficult to analyse what happened, but it’s time to keep working hard and keep our heads up, as we have a crucial game.
“We are sad and annoyed, of course, because we have had two tough defeats in the two most important games of the season, but we mustn’t forget everything we have done during all the season. We have a crucial game that depends on us. The Premier League also depends on us.”
Jesus says City must not dwell on the derby defeat and attack Liverpool in the Champions League.
“Obviously, we are bothered for the last two games,” he added.
“But we can’t make a big deal of this and forget all the great things we have done until now. We need to learn from this and turn the page quickly to focus.
“Against Liverpool, it only depends on us. We need to start thinking about winning, not about the third goal or the fourth, but about scoring the first one – what we didn’t get last Wednesday. “From the beginning until the end, we must think about scoring and play our football. “If now we are in a situation where we have a chance to go through to the semi-finals of the Champions League and to win the Premier League trophy, it is because we did a lot to deserve it. “We have been playing really well, we did great games against great teams, we mustn’t forget everything we did.” Gabriel Jesus