- Claude Puel’s Southampton lost last season’s League Cup to Manchester United
- Despite being the better side for large parts, they were beaten 3-2 at Wembley
- Now at Leicester, Puel is gearing up for a quarter-final tie with Manchester City
- Puel said that Premier League leaders City are ‘the top team in Europe’
Claude Puel has admitted he has unfinished business in the League Cup ahead of Leicester’s quarter-final tie against Manchester City.
Puel’s Southampton lost the final to Manchester United in February despite being the better side for much of the contest and having a goal contentiously ruled out, and the Frenchman wants another trip to Wembley.
Asked if the desire to lift silverware in the competition was fuelled by going close last season before slipping to a 3-2 defeat, Puel said: ‘Yes. Time will tell. The next game will tell us this possibility or not because we have to play a fantastic team. They are the top team in Europe and (it’s) difficult to beat this team – all the teams try without a good result.
Leicester boss Claude Puel has admitted he has unfinished business in the League Cup
Puel’s Southampton side were beaten 3-2 in last season’s final by Manchester United
‘It’s a good opportunity, a strong challenge for us to try to beat them. It’s a unique game, a quarter final, a cup and not a Premier League game and with the support of our fans we can make a fortress at the King Power Stadium.’
Pep Guardiola is expected to make changes for Tuesday night’s contest at the King Power Stadium with Puel also offering the chance of action for players on the fringes of the first team.
Record signing Islam Slimani is not expected to feature, however, bringing fresh doubt on his future at the club beyond January.
Puel said his team would be the strongest available taking fitness into account after the surprise loss to Crystal Palace following four successive wins.
Puel added: ‘We have to accept some frustration. It’s difficult to understand when we can play with this quality in the 4-1 win against Southampton and afterwards the game is so difficult.
Record signing Islam Slimani is not expected to feature when Leicester play Manchester City
Puel’s side were beaten 3-0 by Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday
‘It’s difficult to play every three days with the same intensity and concentration. Perhaps a little tiredness for the players. It’s important to analyse enough to look forward.
‘It’s important to believe in my players and to put in place a good balance. We can do something, this is the most important thing. For the future to have some rotation and changes without losing the quality.’