“Since the age of 13 or 14, the Academy has prepared me for this day and days to come” Tosin Adarabioyo
, Guardiola - 23/11/2016
Goals; Roberts (4'); Iheanacho (8')
Line Up (3-2-4-1) (match ratings in brackets);
Caballero (5)
Adarabioyo (7)
Sagna (6)
Clichy (5)
Zabaleta (8)
Fernando (7)
Maffeo (7) (Navas 62')
Sane (8)
Gundogan (7)
Nolito (6)
Iheanacho (8)
Stats; Possession 55%/45%; Shots 2(3)/6(5); Fouls 7/16.
Line Up (3-2-4-1) (match ratings in brackets);
Caballero (5)
Adarabioyo (7)
Sagna (6)
Clichy (5)
Zabaleta (8)
Fernando (7)
Maffeo (7) (Navas 62')
Sane (8)
Gundogan (7)
Nolito (6)
Iheanacho (8)
Stats; Possession 55%/45%; Shots 2(3)/6(5); Fouls 7/16.
The final outcome of Group B was already in the books. The Etihad entertained Celtic in an exhibition style match that had next to no competitive incentive in comparison to the reverse 3-3 thriller in Glasgow. Nevertheless, this may have proved to have had a higher importance than many realise.
City lined up in, yet another different formation and a different set of players. In what was described as a back four of Maffeo, Sagna, Tosin and Clichy. It was fantastic to see the two City academy youth prospects starting in a Champions League game. This in itself cannot be overlooked. Neither of which looked out of place. Tosin was steady, played the game in front of him and battled in a no nonsense fashion. Something of a novelty in City’s central defence based on recent weeks. Maffeo was deployed as more of a wingback – with Sagna and Zaba providing the young Spaniard with the licence to keep wide and provide an outlet. Maffeo had the grit and dynamism that he showed in the EFL cup tie against the rags. Fierce in the tackle and never shy’d away from the ball. The only criticism I have is that we didn’t make use of his blistering pace on the flanks enough.
The next positives come from the slightly more senior (yet still under 21 years old) Sane and that boy Kelechi. Sane looked every bit a 30-million-pound player, while making Lustig look like a Scottish league player. This is where the Pep effect was really apparent for me watching from the stands yesterday. Sane was constantly keeping the game stretched. Owning both channels and for lack of a Silva or De Bruyne in the middle, we may have exploited Celtic much more in these areas.
Kelechi, well, what more can you say. Directly involved in a goal every 71 minutes. 5 goals, 3 assists this season. 13 goals in 18 starts. The boy is growing at every opportunity. Coming in for Aguero who has been left on the naughty step, this was a game that Kelechi needed to boost his confidence ahead of a busy Christmas period where he will be the main man in front of goal. A goal and some fantastic link up play throughout will prove invaluable in the coming weeks.
And finally, the Zab and Octopus Pivot in holding midfield. Deployed in an unfamiliar role, Zaba took to the box-to-box role fantastically. Him and Fernando aren’t the most technically gifted, but they did their jobs fantastically. Breaking up the play, moving the ball quickly and providing an extra man down the middle with a classic Zabaleta overlap. Fabian Delph may find it difficult to make the bench with these two showing a fantastic level of solidity in the holding roles. While it seems a shame we did not give Aleix Garcia a run in this role, its yet another option for Pep to call upon in the oncoming avalanche of December games.
Was this a game of the highest quality? No. However, the above cannot be underestimated with the confidence it will give each of these individuals moving forward. After a demoralising defeat to table toppers Chelsea. This adaptable City will have a real purpose on Saturday. If ever there was a time to trust in the young guns, it was now.
@PatrickElano
