Doku Focuses on Carabao Cup as Cure for City's Champions League Disappointment
Jeremy Doku has declared that securing victory over Arsenal in Sunday's Carabao Cup final would serve as a "good cure" for Manchester City's painful elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid. The winger's comments come after a 2-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, which saw City exit the competition with a 5-1 aggregate loss in the last-16 tie.
Looking Ahead to Trophy Opportunities
"It's a good cure," Doku emphasised. "We'll do everything to win that game and to win a trophy. There's still a lot to play for. We're in three competitions, with three trophies to win. If we achieve that, it's still going to be a great season." He acknowledged the disappointment of the Champions League exit, noting it's "always a nice trophy to have," but stressed there are valuable lessons to be learned from the two-legged encounter.
Team Unity After Silva's Red Card
City's hopes of overturning a 3-0 deficit from the first leg were severely hampered when Bernardo Silva was sent off early in the second leg for a goalline handball, with Vinícius Júnior converting the resulting penalty. Doku made it clear that the squad does not blame Silva for the loss. "I know he takes it very personally," Doku said. "But even after the incident, we stood together and remained competitive. He's disappointed, but we're all there for him. We recognise his massive contribution to the team."
Guardiola's Post-Match Message
Doku also revealed Pep Guardiola's message in the dressing room after the match. "He told us we can be proud of our performance," Doku shared. "Playing against a top team like Real Madrid, with 10 men against 11, and performing as we did, putting them under pressure—not every team can do that."
Crucial Fixtures Ahead
Following the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal, City face a demanding schedule, hosting Liverpool in the FA Cup, travelling to Chelsea, and then welcoming Arsenal again in the Premier League. Currently, City trail Arsenal by nine points in the league but have a match in hand. "The next four games are very important," Doku highlighted, underscoring the team's focus on bouncing back and competing across multiple fronts.
