And just like that, Fernandinho is Manchester City‘s most important player once again.
City will face more intimidating opponents than Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League this campaign, but Fernandinho’s first match of what will be an extended spell in defense was pleasingly discreet. The midfielder, who was the platform for Pep Guardiola’s side during back-to-back Premier League title triumphs, selected his passes well and stepped forward to accost attackers when required to in Wednesday’s 3-0 Group C win.
The Brazilian displayed the practicality that can betray Nicolas Otamendi at crucial junctures.
Fernandinho playing at center-back isn’t Plan A. Guardiola was already down to three senior players in that position after Vincent Kompany returned to hometown club Anderlecht in the close season, but that number was worryingly slashed to one when Aymeric Laporte and John Stones suffered injuries either side of Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to Norwich City.
Even before Stones’ injury was confirmed after Tuesday’s training session, the miscommunication and disarray in the backline during the surprising Carrow Road setback led to premature forecasts of an unsuccessful title defense for Guardiola’s gaggle.
Otamendi was …read more