MX23RW : Saturday, March 29 06:40:15| >> :120:84654:84654:

Nigel Clough ready for 'daunting' clashes with Manchester City

Nigel Clough ready for 'daunting' clashes with Manchester City
© Reuters
Tottenham tackle Chelsea in the other semi-final.

Burton boss Nigel Clough described his side's Carabao Cup semi-final clashes with Manchester City as "daunting" but is relishing the chance to pit his wits against the Premier League champions.

The League One Brewers were rewarded for beating Championship side Middlesbrough with a two-legged last-four meeting with Pep Guardiola's City when the draw was made on Wednesday evening.

Clough wants his side to remain focused on their promotion push, but told the club's official website: "They are one of the best teams in Europe at the moment.

"What they have done over the last year or so in England is quite frightening for a team in League One.

"The one thing Pep Guardiola might be pleased with is that he won't have to risk too many players.

"I don't think it makes too much difference being away in the first leg. I think whatever the score in the first leg people will want to watch Manchester City at the Pirelli Stadium.

"Financial considerations for us as this stage are the main thing but it's also something for everyone to look forward to.

"There are three out of the top four in the Premier League left in the competition and us – it's incredible.

"But what is important are the League One games before then. Saturday at Luton will be unbelievably tough given the efforts of Tuesday night.

"Then we have to get something out of Wycombe and Plymouth at home over Christmas. They are the two most important games of the period for us before we look forward to the Carabao Cup."

Tottenham will face Chelsea in the other semi-final after goals from Son Heung-min and Dele Alli earned Spurs a 2-0 win at Arsenal, while Eden Hazard's late goal was enough for the Blues to down Bournemouth.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino told Sky Sports: "It's another London derby.

"This will be our fourth London derby. We started the Carabao Cup against Watford, then we played against West Ham at the Olympic Stadium, tonight was Arsenal and now a semi-final against Chelsea.

"Chelsea is a great team and it's going to be very tough but we are excited."

Chelsea's assistant boss Gianfranco Zola said the draw "could have been better but it is fine."

The first leg of the ties will be played in the weeks commencing January 7 and 21.

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association Sport staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '7db55003-15d8-4616-8d76-61ccb74ff3a7');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:uk');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Nigel Clough ready for \u2018daunting\u2019 clashes with Manchester City'});

ID:344688: cacheID:344688:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4703:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Burton Albion's Jake Hesketh celebrates on December 18, 2018
Read Next:
Clough stays 'realistic' after steering Burton into Carabao Cup semi-finals
>
Read more about Nigel Clough Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Birmingham CityBirmingham36258359243583
2Wrexham38228852302274
3Wycombe WanderersWycombe372011664362871
4Charlton AthleticCharlton381991049351466
5Stockport CountyStockport381811953351865
6Huddersfield TownHuddersfield371871252341861
7Bolton WanderersBolton37186135955460
8Leyton Orient381851554381659
9Reading371611105246659
10Blackpool381315105750754
11Barnsley38158155254-253
12Lincoln CityLincoln381311145345850
13Stevenage381310153539-449
14Rotherham UnitedRotherham37129164245-345
15Peterborough UnitedPeterborough37129165660-445
16Exeter CityExeter37129164051-1145
17Mansfield TownMansfield37128174351-844
18Wigan AthleticWigan361110153336-343
19Northampton TownNorthampton381012163756-1942
20Bristol Rovers38126203961-2242
21Burton Albion37812173853-1536
22Crawley TownCrawley3889214071-3133
23Cambridge UnitedCambridge3879223662-2630
24Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury3777233462-2828


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!