Tops
Three matches, three wins. While Pep Guardiola continues to be sullen in a press conference on injuries or the arrival of recruits which are slow to materialize, the Skyblues are perfect in accounting terms with two league victories and one in the European Supercup. The way can wait: the Cityzens were already struggling in the game at the start of last season.
Phil Foden had had a complicated second half of the 2022/2023 season, and spent in the shoes of a substitute. The departures of Gundogan and Mahrez, combined with the absences of De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva, reinforced his leadership in creativity within his team. Tonight, the England international was excellent, impactful on both flanks and made plenty of shifts. He was logically elected man of the match.
With the arrival of Gvardiol, Manchester City have made sure to strengthen their defense even further. Tonight, Ederson had nothing to do defensively, only being useful in relaunching with long play to eliminate the Magpies’ high pressing. And to think that Aké was on the bench, while Stones was absent through injury…
Flops
Landed from AC Milan against 64 million euros, Sandro Tonali arrived escorted by many promises. If he was good in the big victory against Aston Villa, the Italian international was transparent tonight, totally outclassed by Rodri and Kovacic. He will need time to adapt to compete with the circles of the big teams in the championship.
If Haaland’s efficiency probably scared Eddie Howe’s men, the last 4th in the Premier League only scored one shot in 90 minutes. A starving record, and complicated to understand at the end of the meeting where the players did not even play the whole thing. Isak was invisible, Almiron only made bad choices with the ball in hand (70th) and Gordon was too messy in the last 30 meters.