Doku: Carabao Cup Final Offers Cure for City's Champions League Heartbreak
Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku has declared that victory over Arsenal in Sunday's Carabao Cup final would serve as a 'good cure' for the club's painful Champions League elimination at the hands of Real Madrid. The Belgian international emphasized the team's focus on bouncing back and securing silverware despite the European disappointment.
Looking Forward After European Exit
'It's a good cure,' Doku stated regarding the upcoming Wembley showdown. '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, three trophies to win. If we do that it's still going to be a great season.'
The winger acknowledged the disappointment of Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium, which sealed a comprehensive 5-1 aggregate loss in their Champions League last-16 tie. 'Of course we're disappointed with the Champions League – it's always a nice trophy to have. But there are some lessons to take out of these two games,' he reflected.
Defending Bernardo Silva After Red Card
Doku made a point of defending teammate Bernardo Silva, who was sent off early in the second leg for a goalline handball with the game still scoreless. Vinícius Júnior converted the resulting penalty, severely denting City's hopes of overturning the 3-0 first-leg deficit.
'I know he takes it very personally,' Doku said of Silva. 'But even after it, we stood there, we were in the game. He's disappointed, but we're all there for him. We know his contribution to the team is massive.' The winger stressed that the squad places no blame on Silva for the aggregate defeat.
Guardiola's Post-Match Message
Doku revealed that manager Pep Guardiola's message in the dressing room after the Real Madrid loss was one of pride. 'That we can be proud of our performance,' he shared. 'Playing against a big team like that, 10 against 11, and performing like we did, putting them into trouble. Not every team can do that.'
Crucial Run of Fixtures Ahead
Following the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal, Manchester City face a critical sequence of matches that will define their season:
- Hosting Liverpool in the FA Cup
- Travelling to Chelsea in the Premier League
- Welcoming Arsenal again in league competition
Currently sitting nine points behind Arsenal in the Premier League with a game in hand, Doku recognized the importance of the coming weeks. 'The next four games are very important,' he emphasized, highlighting the team's determination to challenge on multiple fronts despite their European exit.
