Geronimo Rulli has credited Manchester City’s home supporters for helping the team overcome Brighton in a dramatic Carabao Cup fourth-round penalty shootout, with the goalkeeper producing two crucial saves to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
City progressed after a thrilling 2-2 draw, winning 4-3 on penalties following a fiercely contested encounter. Rulli emerged as the decisive figure, denying Yasin Ayari and Brighton captain Lewis Dunk from the spot to send the home crowd into celebration.
The fourth-round tie delivered goals at both ends, with Malick Yalcouyé and Mateo Kovačić scoring before the interval. Georginio Rutter and Vitor Reis then found the net as the contest remained level at full-time, forcing the two sides to settle the outcome through penalties.
The shootout initially produced a sequence of successful efforts from Phil Foden, Pascal Groß, Enzo Fernández, Matt O’Riley, Jeremy Doku and Maxim De Cuyper. Kovačić was the first player to miss, with his attempt saved, giving Brighton an opportunity to seize control.
However, Rulli responded immediately by keeping out Ayari’s effort, restoring City’s momentum and bringing the home supporters into the contest. Rayan Cherki then converted City’s fifth penalty before Dunk stepped up with the chance to keep Brighton alive.
The Argentine goalkeeper had other plans, producing another decisive save to deny the Brighton skipper and confirm City’s progress to the next round.
Speaking to City Studios after the match, Rulli explained how his confidence from the penalty spot and the atmosphere inside the stadium helped him deliver when the pressure was at its highest.
“For me it’s my moment,” he began. “In these situations I don’t feel the pressure, I try to play also with our fans. For me they are really important in these kind of moments.
“I know I would save any penalty. Before the game I spoke to Enzo Fernández and told him if it goes to penalties I will save two. I feel the confidence, I feel really nice in these kinds of situations. I’m ready to help.
“In that moment when Mateo missed and I saved, that is the moment when the fans tried to help us and I tried to play with that.
“That gave us energy and confidence. It’s really tough to lose when we have all the fans with us.
“This night, they were for me, one of the best points in the stadium.”
Rulli’s performance underlined the importance of having a goalkeeper capable of delivering in high-pressure moments. His saves arrived when City needed a response, turning the shootout in their favour after Kovačić’s miss threatened to hand Brighton the advantage.
The victory also highlighted the influence of the home crowd, with Rulli insisting that the supporters provided the energy and confidence needed to finish the job.
With Brighton eliminated, Manchester City can now turn their attention to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. For Rulli, the night will be remembered not only for his penalty-saving heroics but also for the connection between the players and supporters that helped deliver a place in the last eight.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
