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Before Saturday’s FA Cup semifinal, Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola said he’d “lose the team” if he didn’t start American keeper Zack Steffen vs Chelsea. In the end, the decision may have lost the game.
Steffen made a positioning error to allow Chelsea to score the only goal in 1-0 defeat on Saturday at Wembley, costing the Citizens a chance at a rare quadruple. Steffen, who was otherwise faultless and moments later made a one-on-one save to atone, will no doubt rue his moment of indecision that allowed Hakim Ziyech a tap-in.
Steffen has played every League Cup and FA Cup match this season, with just one appearance in both the Premier League and Champions League. Guardiola confirmed Friday that Steffen deserved to start.
“He’ll start, always I've done it like this,” Guardiola said. “Maybe we are going to win, or we are going to lose, but if Zack doesn’t play, I’m going to lose the team and it is better to lose a game than lose the team. He played really well in the FA Cup, he’s a keeper from the national team USA, and when he plays, he plays at a good level. He is a lovely guy, training good and he deserves it. I’m more than delighted to give him the chance.”
Unfortunately for Pep and City, Steffen was caught out of position on Chelsea’s game-winning goal. The American found himself in no-man’s land as Timo Werner raced toward his goal, allowing the German to make an easy pass to Ziyech to score into an empty net. (For all the hate he’s received, Werner’s return of 10 goals and nine assists in all competitions is pretty decent in his first season in London.)
Zack Steffen vs Chelsea Howler
ZIYECH GIVES CHELSEA THE LEAD! pic.twitter.com/n03wKpcv6w
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 17, 2021
Shortly after the goal, Steffen atoned with a brilliant save to deny Ziyech in a one-on-one chance, but all anyone will remember from his performance Saturday will be him looking woefully out of position on Ziyech’s goal.
Steffen’s counterpart in goal on Saturday was Kepa Arrizabalaga, who infamously refused to be substituted the last time he played Manchester City at Wembley. Kepa was a bit quieter on Saturday, needing to make just three saves to record a clean sheet.
The last time Kepa played against Man City at Wembley pic.twitter.com/ffJV17p0qr
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 17, 2021
Though the goal came from a City mistake, it wasn’t an undeserved Chelsea victory. The Blues effectively denied City from creating chances in the final third while looking consistently dangerous on the counter.
Additionally, Fernandinho was lucky to stay on the pitch, getting away with two shocking plays against Mason Mount. The Brazilian went studs up on Mount, lucky the Chelsea youngster played on and the referee didn’t revisit the situation. Even worse, prior to that he landed a boot on Mount’s face, though his intentions were unclear. Fernandinho eventually was booked about an hour later in the second half.
Did Fernandinho get away with one here? pic.twitter.com/kzB0l85ouu
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 17, 2021
The other American in the match, Christian Pulisic, came on for Mount in the 70th minute to help Chelsea see out the victory. He scored a nice solo goal against Steffen in stoppage time, but it was called back because he was offside.
FA Cup Semifinal: Chelsea vs. Man City Highlights
The defeat ended City’s hopes of a quadruple this season. Guardiola’s squad is in the final of the EFL League Cup against Tottenham on April 25, holds a comfortable 11-point lead in the Premier League and will play PSG in the semifinals of the Champions League, leaving three trophies still left to play for. Chelsea could, conceivably, deny City in the Champions League as well, as the Blues face Real Madrid in the other semifinal.
Expect Steffen to start the League Cup final next week, but Pulisic and his Blues will be playing either Leicester City or Southampton for the FA Cup title on May 15.
