The latest iteration of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City has a striker operating as an advanced midfielder. Of course it does. Ever the contrarian.
A man who spent so long sticking with false nines is now shoehorning two proper front men in, with neither of them droppable. When Erling Haaland doesn’t do it, then Julian Alvarez does instead, and this change is making City even more thrilling. More surprises, more tweaks. More trophies? Probably.
They are assaulting opposition’s boxes with more aggression, perhaps the most since the Centurion season of 2018. Alvarez added another two last night, although the second was an aberration from a man called Glazer tending Red Star Belgrade’s goal. A Glazer mocked at the Etihad Stadium; not the first time, won’t be the last.
Red Star actually led for a bit. Not long, but a bit, scoring on the stroke of half-time. Perfect timing. In theory, anyway. In reality, it gave a frustrated City time to breathe and the rest took care of itself.
Last year’s champions began their defence with slight imperfections, missing a hatful of chances when setting a record for the most shots ever registered in a first half of a Champions League match, yet equally it all felt nicely measured.
Julian Alvarez scored twice as Man City beat Red Star 3-1 in the Champions League
Osman Bukari shocked City by scoring a shock opener for the outsiders in the first half
He and his team-mates were ecstatic – heading over to the bench to celebrate with the staff
However, it didn’t last long as City’s Julian Alvarez equalised a minute into the second half
The only major blot came when Bernardo Silva hobbled off, with Guardiola confirming he is set to miss the next few games. Another injury is not what they need.
‘Five important players are injured,’ Guardiola said. ‘We are in trouble but I’m not going to complain.’
Despite that, the way City are playing is new and exciting. The £14million Alvarez is more than contributing. ‘What a signing,’ Guardiola added. ‘He has everything. He fights, scores, assists. Playing behind Erling he’s an incredible threat.’
They battered Red Star in a way the scoreline did not do justice. Not many others around Europe are quite this inevitably good when a goal down but that is partially why Guardiola won the lot. He has told the players that they stand at the bottom of a mountain now, effectively to forget about the triumphs of a few months past. Basically: go again.
A one last motivational tactic for a group of players who have heard and achieved it all at this stage, but some are understandably still revelling in how this club climbed the last peak. And they always will.
The sound of Fleetwood Mac, the Treble’s soundtrack, filled the concourses. A montage of the heroics was beamed on the big screens. Mike Summerbee wandered out with the Champions League trophy. The UEFA anthem was given a good jeering. Everything and nothing changed in June.
The Serbians made City angry by scoring with their first attempt. Osman Bukari saw Mirko Ivanic was knocking a ball over the top, skipping past Ruben Dias and slipping beyond Ederson. Disallowed for offside, only for replays to show Dias comfortably played Bukari on. Red Star had barely left their penalty area yet suddenly there was a game on.
Potentially one of the greatest upsets in recent European history lasted for little over a minute. Haaland showcased why he is so much more to this team than a goalscoring cyborg, drifting off the front and laying on a plate for Alvarez. The Argentine rounded Glazer and tucked home all in one swift movement, a quietly sensational finish.
Alvarez was on fire for Manchester City and went on to score their second goal of the game
His second goal came from Omri Glazer’s howler as he tried to punch Alvarez’s free-kick clear but ended up diverting the ball into the net
Rodri then added the third and final goal of the game in the 73rd minute to see it end 3-1
Kyle Walker also found the back of the net but his goal was disallowed shortly after their equaliser
Walker was correctly ruled offside as VAR intervened to deny him a rare goal for his club
Kyle Walker thought he had given them a lead shortly after, before that was adjudged offside. Goalkeeper Omri Glazer, who had been superb, made his first real mistake of the evening by then not gathering Alvarez’s effort.
If that error was bad, this next one came with sound effects. Alvarez’s free kick, a cross, had whip but looked eminently catchable. Glazer, unchallenged, elected to punch. He threw a limp fist down a different line to the actual ball, missing it and turned back in horror. By the hour, City led and normality restored.
There was also time for Rodri to roll home into the far corner after cleverly seeking space by using decoys Foden and Jeremy Doku. Guardiola, arms aloft, saw the job completed. Alvarez and Foden stealing focus from defenders allows Rodri to roam more and the product is more goals, this a third of the season already.
The Spaniard has a new banner, reading: ‘Can we talk about Rodri?’ He manager likes that topic. ‘Rodri is the best midfielder (in Europe) now, Guardiola said. ‘He can read these spaces. He likes to drive in these positions, using the space really well. He’s extraordinary.’
