As the temperature plummeted below zero in East Staffordshire, a much-changed City edged the match 1-0 to confirm a Wembley date next month against Chelsea or Spurs and continue a stunning start to the New Year..
“It went well, the pitch was so dangerous and slippery, but we made a good game, we missed a little bit the last pass and the finishing, but it was good,” said Pep.
“Burton had two or three clear chances – Aro was outstanding. We’re in the final and that’s what’s important.
MATCHDAY CENTRE: Burton 0 City 1
“The game was completely different from the first leg because we started with a 9-0 lead, but I didn’t see a lack of desire or to play like we believed we were something that we are not.
“We played seriously with no injuries and both Kevin and Sergio played 60 to 65 minutes with high intensity.”
The Blues’ boss handed debuts to Ian Carlo Poveda and Felix Nmecha as well as a first start for Philippe Sandler – and the Catalan was impressed by what he saw.
“Ian Carlo was so aggressive with and without the ball, and Philippe played really well with the ball and defensively as well – they both made a good performance
“We will try to win this competition, but the important thing is being there for a second year in succession.
“We take the Carabao Cup seriously and have done in all the games we played – Oxford, Fulham, Leicester and then Burton and we are there. We are in another final and now we’re going to try to prepare well to try to win.
“I’m not thinking about Chelsea or Tottenham both are incredible teams, tough teams.
“Now is about preparing for February and we’ll see how the conditions, the players, the performance… and we go into the final to win it.”
