Guardiola dismisses EFL Cup match ball, calls it 'unacceptable'

"It is impossible to score with a ball like that and I can say that because we won, I'm not making excuses," says the Manchester City manager, after his side's progress into the quarterfinals.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said the ball is too light and it moves all over the place.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola labelled the match ball used in the EFL Cup as "unacceptable" after his side reached the quarterfinals.

City, so dominant in the Premier League this season, were unable to find a breakthrough against Wolves on Tuesday, needing penalty shoot-out heroics from Claudio Bravo to progress after a 0-0 draw.

Read: Bravo saves send Guardiola's men through

Guardiola was unhappy with the Mitre match ball, which is usually used in Football League matches.

"It is not acceptable. The ball was unacceptable for a high-level competition," the Spaniard 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 but the 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."

Bravo made saves from Alfred N'Diaye and Conor Coady in the shoot-out, sealing a 4-1 win on penalties for City.