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Dejan Kulusevski, Tottenham Hotspur’s dynamic winger, has admitted that facing Manchester City is a fixture he takes “personally,” following his impressive performance in Spurs’ 2-1 Carabao Cup triumph. The Swedish international’s two assists helped secure a spot in the quarter-finals, where Spurs will face Manchester United.
Speaking to the Mirror, Kulusevski emphasized the thrill of playing against elite teams like City. “I knew I had to do something important as it’s an amazing game to play against this team,” he shared. “I take it personally to play against City. I promised myself that I was going to have a good game, and I think I did.”
Under manager Ange Postecoglou, Kulusevski has thrived in a more creative role, shining particularly in high-stakes matches. His tally of goals and assists against Manchester City is higher than against any other team since Pep Guardiola took charge. Reflecting on this form, Kulusevski explained his drive to face top competition, dismissing the notion that Wednesday’s win was a response to the team’s recent loss against Crystal Palace.
“It wasn’t about Palace, no; it’s just because it’s City. I love to play against the best because it’s extra-motivating,” he said. “It’s a personal thing; everybody close to me knows it. I prepared for this game for a long time and knew I had to perform. I’ve played City away three times and scored three times. There is no fear—if anything, it’s the opposite of fear.”
Looking ahead, Kulusevski acknowledged the importance of addressing Tottenham’s defensive vulnerabilities, especially after conceding just before halftime against City. “I’m very angry that we conceded the goal in the last second of the half; we can’t do that,” he admitted. “It changes everything when you go in at half-time 2-0, and then it’s 2-1. But we handled it well in the second half, created so many chances, and if we killed the game earlier, it would be all over.”
Kulusevski’s performance has become essential to Spurs’ campaign under Postecoglou, who has invigorated the team with an attacking style. As Tottenham heads into a crucial period, Kulusevski urged his teammates to seek consistency to maximize the club’s potential this season, setting his sights on the next fixture against Aston Villa.
“Everyone contributed, and we stayed strong,” he concluded. “This is the kind of game we need to build on for what’s ahead.”
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