Peretz labels Wembley the

SAINTS goalkeeper Daniel Peretz labelled Wembley "the house of football" and said he grew up dreaming of playing in the famous stadium.

Now an 11-time international, Peretz is set to start in goal for the St Mary's side when they take on Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final today.

Peretz did not get past the early rounds of the DFB Pokal with Bayern Munich, and he was an unused substitute for an Israeli Cup win in 2021.

So the trip to Wembley represents one of the biggest games in the 25 year old's career, not least because the FA Cup final was always on at home.

“I’m really excited. We are going to play in the house of football. Growing up, every kid has the dream to play in Wembley," Peretz told the Daily Echo.

Daniel Peretz is set to start against Man City today (Image: Stuart Martin)

"We are going to achieve it, but we are not just coming for the experience. We want to win this game and we will do everything for that.

“We have a lot of respect [for Man City] but no fear. It might be the biggest game for me, it’s a really huge game, but I’m not doing big comparisons.

"I’m coming into the game really excited, but I will carry through my same habits, as if it’s a friendly. We have to keep our focus and not overdo it."

Peretz will be busy if Saints are to stand a chance of reaching the final of the competition in their 50th anniversary year of lifting the cup in 1976.

"I’m ready to face 20 shots," he quipped. "But I’m also ready to face one shot.

That’s my job. Sometimes, the games where you have 20 shots can be easier focus-wise. You are always more alert than in the games where you face one.

"Whatever happens in the game, you have to be ready for any scenario.”

While Saints knocked out favourites Arsenal with a 2-1 win in the quarter-final, Man City - winners of the Carabao Cup - thrashed Liverpool 4-0.

Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick, having also helped Norway thump Israel on the international stage with four goals in two matches last year.

On him, Peretz admitted: "I have a lot of respect for him for what he is achieving, his consistency and his quality. But, again, we want to win."

Head coach Tonda Eckert praised Peretz's impact since he arrived at Saints in January, and believes he will be an important player under the arch.

"He's a very positive character, he gives a lot of energy. That's the one thing. The other thing is that he's had some big saves for us," said Eckert.

"I think that we're going to need him on Saturday, but I think that's true for every team that comes up against City, even if you defend well.

"You can defend very well over 120 minutes, but you will need your goalkeeper in one or two moments, so we need him to be at his very best."