Pep Guardiola branded the ball used in Manchester City's 4-1 penalty shootout win over Wolverhampton Wanderers as "unacceptable for a high-level competition" after his side survived a scare to progress to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after extra time at the Etihad Stadium.
Claudio Bravo saved two Wolves penalties before Sergio Agüero scored the decisive spot-kick and while Guardiola was pleased with the victory, he expressed displeasure at the ball which is usually used in Football League matches.
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Guardiola criticised the Mitre ball heavily, saying it was too light compared to the Nike Ordem V favoured by the Premier League, according to the Guardian.
"It is not acceptable, the ball was unacceptable for a high-level competition," Guardiola said. "It is too light, it moves all over the place, it is not a good ball. It is impossible to score with a ball like that and I can say that because we won, I'm not making excuses. All of my players said: 'What is that?' I'm sorry Carabao Cup is not a serious ball for a serious competition. It's [for] marketing, money, OK but it's not acceptable – [it has] no weight, nothing."
Asked if his players had had time to practise with the ball that was introduced at the start of the season for all EFL competitions but not the Premier League, the 46-year-old was dismissive. "One day or two days, but the ball is bad for one year or two years, it's not acceptable. All the players complain," he added.
As per the Daily Mail, Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo responded: "I can't compare them. It is our ball in both competitions (Championship and Carabao Cup). The only difference is the colour."
Guardiola also paid tribute to Bravo who has been replaced by new £35m signing Ederson Moraes after a calamitous first season in England.
The Chile international made three one-on-one saves before his shootout heroics.
"Without him we would not be in the next round," added Guardiola.
"It was not easy for him last season, but he's a keeper at a high level. Claudio is here to play but he's a good professional and he has to be ready. But it's not easy to come in for games like this. You can't play for Barcelona and Chile without being at a high level. He deserved the performance."
