<
>

Martin Demichelis backed by Willy Caballero to recover from Utd display

Martin Demichelis will bounce back from his Manchester derby nightmare, insists Manchester City teammate Willy Caballero.

Demichelis endured a miserable day at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday when he was embarrassed by United's 18-year-old striker Marcus Rashford for the only goal of the game.

The 35-year-old was also lucky not to give away a penalty for a clumsy challenge on Rashford on the stroke of half-time and, shortly after the break, he underhit a backpass to goalkeeper Joe Hart, who hurt his calf making the clearance and had to be substituted.

Argentina international Demichelis was finally substituted himself in the 53rd minute with Pellegrini admitting he was "not having a good day."

But Caballero says the City team must take the blame for the defeat.

He told reporters: "I know Martin well and he is a really professional player. Unfortunately, he feels really bad now about himself and about the game. But he now has to go to Argentina for the international games, so I wish him all the best.

"We are a team and when I have made a mistake and we have lost, I feel the same. The most important thing is not who makes mistakes, but who tries to react for the team.

"In this case it could have been Martin but everyone makes mistakes during the season. We are a team and have to react, and to take our chances."

Caballero is now set for a run in the first team with Hart expected to be out of action for up to a month.

It could be a crucial period with City facing a battle to hold onto their top-four spot, while they also have their Champions League quarterfinal with Paris Saint-Germain to come.

Caballero, who was the hero of City's Capital One Cup win in March when he saved three penalties in the shootout victory over Liverpool, insists he is ready for a run of games.

He said: "I feel the same, that it's a great opportunity for me if I play. I don't feel any different after Wembley -- I have always felt well that I could play, and have always tried to do my best. Sometimes I could, sometimes I couldn't, but I have been training really hard and feel comfortable.

"Winning at Wembley was a great achievement for me and for the club, but after the final I just saw different things about me in the newspapers and on the TV -- but I felt the same. Maybe I got lucky, but now I will try to rest and be ready if the boss needs me."