MLS Star Teemu Pukki Recalls ‘6-0 Humiliations’ to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the Premier League

After a storied Norwich City stint with 210 appearances and 88 goals, Finnish striker Teemu Pukki switched to the other side of the Atlantic last season. Pukki now plays for the Major League Soccer side Minnesota United. Thanks to his experience in English soccer’s top tier, Minnesota landed Pukki as a Designated Player. Anyhow, the 33-year-old’s run in the English top tier was no bed of roses. Pep Guardiola‘s ruthless Manchester City squad has played their part to give the Finn and his teammates a tough time in the Premier League.

In a recent candid exchange, the Minnesota United star lamented two Norwich City losses against Guardiola’s City. While doing so, he added that Manchester City’s home, the Etihad Stadium still gives him nightmares.

Teemu Pukki won’t ever go back to Manchester City’s Etihad

Teemu Pukki recently spoke to Goal USA, revealing his childhood influences and favorite teams. A seasoned striker himself, he grew up idolizing soccer’s legendary #9, Ronaldo Nazario. Soon, the interviewer asked the 33-year-old if there was a loss he could never forget. “Two losses to Man City. I think six-nil, away at Etihad Stadium. That’s not a place I want to go again as a football player,” said Teemu Pukki. While the losses against City were lamentable, Pukki did not get the facts right.

Norwich City has never lost 6-0 to Manchester City during his stint with the former. Rather, Norwich twice lost 5-0 to Pep Guardiola’s men in 2020 and 2021. Even so, those were quite humiliating losses. Besides, Norwich City has succumbed to Manchester City 10 times when the two teams went head-to-head. The former won twice and drew on three occasions. While Man City’s senior team under Pep Guardiola has an upper hand against Norwich City, the Sky Blues’ U-21 team has a different story to tell.

Not all Manchester City squads are invincible for Norwich

In December 2023, Manchester City’s U-21 faced Norwich’s U-21 squad in a Premier League 2 matchup. Reduced to ten men, the Cityzens took a 6-0 thrashing from Norwich. Interestingly, it was a Norwich victory that matched Teemu Pukki’s scoreline from the interview. The City U-21 side crumbled perhaps because few youngsters were called up to serve Guardiola’s senior team in the FIFA Club World Cup.

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Besides, Teemu Pukki also once had the better of Pep Guardiola’s squad. Back in the 2019-20 season, Pukki’s Norwich City defeated Manchester 3-2. Pukki’s exploits were at the heart of the win. He scored and assisted once to seal the rival’s fate. However, Norwich had hosted that triumphant match. Had Man City hosted Pukki and Co. at Etihad, the outcome would have been different.

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