Manchester City reach Carabao Cup last eight as Maresca praises Rulli

Manchester City will host Bradford City in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after getting past Brighton on penalties. Geronimo Rulli saved twice as City won the shootout 4-3 following a 2-2 draw, the Guardian reported. BBC Sport reported that Enzo Maresca praised the goalkeeper's contribution while maintaining that Gianluigi Donnarumma remains his first choice.

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Maresca's assessment extended beyond the shootout. According to BBC Sport, the City manager highlighted Rulli's work in possession against Brighton's aggressive marking. He explained that City had used longer passes towards Floyd Samba before the interval, then changed their approach to play through Phil Foden on the ground in the second half.

Rulli had returned to City after an earlier spell in 2016-17 that brought no first-team appearances. BBC Sport reported that he replaced James Trafford, who moved to Leeds. His experience of decisive shootouts includes the 2021 Europa League final, when he scored for Villarreal and then saved David de Gea's penalty against Manchester United.

Donnarumma was among five City players given three days off, alongside Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias, Elliot Anderson and Josko Gvardiol, BBC Sport reported. Maresca had described Rulli as understanding his backup role before the Brighton match and reiterated that position afterwards, despite the goalkeeper's successful evening.

The quarter-final draw gives holders City a home tie against one of only two clubs remaining from outside the Premier League. The other is League Two side Fleetwood Town, who will welcome either Everton or Newcastle United to Highbury. BBC Sport reported that Fleetwood reached the last eight for the first time by eliminating Premier League champions Arsenal on penalties on Tuesday.

Fleetwood's opponents will be decided when Everton host Newcastle at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Thursday in the remaining fourth-round fixture. Elsewhere in the draw, Liverpool will host Bournemouth after beating Chelsea in a shootout, while Crystal Palace will face Sunderland at Selhurst Park. BBC Sport reported that the quarter-final matches are scheduled for the week beginning 14 December.