Manchester City needed every ounce of resilience Gerónimo Rulli could offer on Wednesday night, as the Argentine goalkeeper’s heroics from 12 yards dragged Enzo Maresca’s side past a stubborn Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup fourth round.
A pulsating tie at the Etihad Stadium finished 2-2 after 90 minutes, with City twice required to come from behind before Rulli settled matters in a dramatic penalty shootout. He saved spot-kicks from Yasin Ayari and Brighton captain Lewis Dunk to send the holders through 4-3 on penalties.
City forced to fight back twice
Brighton, fresh from knocking Manchester United out of the competition in the previous round, arrived at the Etihad with little fear and took the lead through Malick Yalcouyé before Mateo Kovačić restored parity for the hosts.
Georginio Rutter then put the visitors back in front, only for substitute Vitor Reis to drag City level again and force the tie into extra-time drama and, ultimately, a shootout.
With the scores locked, both sets of players held their nerve through a string of composed finishes. Phil Foden, Pascal Groß, Enzo Fernández, Matt O’Riley, Jeremy Doku and Maxim De Cuyper all converted cleanly before Kovačić, who had scored in open play, saw his effort kept out by Jason Steele.
Rulli immediately responded by denying Ayari, and after Rayan Cherki fired City’s fifth penalty into the net, it was left to Dunk to keep Brighton’s hopes alive. Rulli guessed correctly once more, and the Etihad erupted as City booked their place in the quarter-finals.
Rulli reveals conversation with Enzo Fernández
Speaking afterwards, the 33-year-old, deployed as City’s back-up goalkeeper this season, explained how he thrives in the pressure of a shootout and credited the home crowd for lifting him through it.
The goalkeeper also revealed he had made a promise to Chelsea-turned-City midfielder Enzo Fernández before kick-off, telling his team-mate he was confident of making two saves should the match go to penalties — a pledge he delivered on in spectacular fashion.
“It’s my moment [in a penalty shootout]. In these situations I don’t feel pressure. I try to play also with our fans. For me they’re really important in these moments. I know I’d save any penalty,” he explained.
“Before the game I spoke to Enzo Fernández and told him if it goes to penalties I’ll save two. I feel confidence, I feel really nice in these situations. Ready to help!”
He went further, insisting he backs himself against any penalty taker and that the reaction of the Kovačić miss, followed instantly by his own save, was the moment the home support’s energy carried him through the rest of the shootout.
“When Mateo [Kovacic] missed and I saved, that’s the moment when the fans tried to help and I tried to play with that. I feel really, really good in this moment, as I can help my teammates. The most important is we go through and want to go far,” he said per City Xtra
It capped a personally satisfying night for Rulli, who has had to be patient for opportunities since arriving at the club, and who used his second appearance in City colours to stake a firm claim as a reliable option between the posts.
Maresca praises his understudy
City boss Enzo Maresca, who took charge of the Carabao Cup holders this season, was effusive in his praise of the goalkeeper after full-time, making clear that Rulli’s temperament under pressure was exactly what he had come to expect in training.
The Italian’s side had looked vulnerable for long periods against a vibrant Brighton attack built around Rutter and Yalcouyé, but City’s greater quality and composure from the spot ultimately told.
City now progress to the quarter-finals, where they will continue their defence of the trophy they won last season. With squad rotation already a feature of Maresca’s cup approach, Rulli’s display will give the manager further selection headaches between the posts.
