Marco Silva reflected on a game of high drama at the Etihad as his side went minutes away from taking a point from the Champions.
“Tough to take, definitely,” said our Head Coach. “Of course, as you understand, the mood is not the best in our dressing room, but that just shows that we came here to embrace the challenge, a great challenge that we had ahead of us and we did it most of the time.
“”When you concede a penalty in a moment that is not really dangerous for us and inside our box with De Bruyne, I think it’s tough to take”
The high standards that have been set by Silva and his staff are clear to see, and a poignant marker of where Fulham have come, and these were present when our boss gave his opinion on proceedings.
“They started the game better than us,” he said. “I would like to see our team be more brave on the ball first half, in some moments.
“I think the goal, the first goal we conceded, is a clear one. I think we started well in that moment but in that situation we gave them the chance to make a good transition and play through the lines in that moment.
“Of course, after we equalise the game and with the red card that came, it gave us more balance. We knew that on the ball it would not make a big difference to them because they have the quality and they changed the way to build with three at the back instead of four, and after the attack line it would not make a big difference for them on the ball.”
“Off the ball, if you show the capacity to keep more of the ball ourselves and to be more brave, of course it will be tough for them.
“I think we did that with not enough quality to create more problems for them.
“Second half, we tried to show more quality on the ball in some moments. Some moments we did, others not at the level that I would like to see, but we have to know the quality that is on the other side.
“I believe in the moment they score and the last 30 minutes, even with Haaland and Foden on the pitch, apart from the offside goal, I think we have controlled the game well in that moment.
“Not really a big chance for them, it’s true that we didn’t create many as well and I think we have a great chance with Harry Wilson, with more calm in that moment, one more touch he would be one-on-one with Ederson.
“That moment is one for us to be more ruthless and to score in that situation, I would like to see more quality in our final third, but of course it’s difficult against City at the Etihad.”
