Bernardo Silva was named the man of the match in Manchester City’s derby triumph on Sunday after putting in one of his best performances of the season so far.
The midfielder was effective both going forward and defensively, totally outclassing Manchester United markers and pressers. He has explained how the Blues undid the Reds so easily at the weekend.
Ederson had a brilliant game too, spraying balls to teammates to spark attacks and keeping a clean sheet. However, second-choice ‘keeper Stefan Ortega has outlined that he ultimately wants to be the first-choice pick, after experiencing a confidence-sapping first period at the club after his initial arrival.
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Bernardo explains how easily Man City picked apart United defence
All the talk in the hour before kick-off of Sunday’s Manchester derby was how Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans would cope against Erling Haaland.
Given Haaland got a brace and assist against United, that battle was particularly one-sided, but Bernardo Silva has revealed how City’s main focus in their game plan was to exploit United’s full-backs instead, knowing the mismatched defence would be unbalanced.
United started with back-up Diogo Dalot at right-back and Victor Lindelof out of position at left-back, and City used that inexperience to their advantage.
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Ortega opens up on Man City ambition after initial shock
Ortega rang up his agent after his first session at City last season. “I think I’m in the wrong place, I didn’t hold a single ball today,” he told him.
The German was bewildered not just that prolific goalscorers such as Erling Haaland had been firing shots past him but even defenders and youth team players involved in the training.
That was a lesson for Ortega on the standards expected at the City Football Academy, having arrived on a free transfer after relegation from the Bundesliga with Arminia Bielefeld.
It was also one quickly taken on board; barring a shocker in the League Cup at Southampton, the goalkeeper impressed with every opportunity and has started Premier League and Champions League matches ahead of Ederson.
Read what else he said here »>
The transfer window has been a hectic one and City have been busy, with high-profile signings and sales aplenty.
City snapped up Croatian pair Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol from Chelsea and RB Leipzig respectively with the latest addition being Jeremy Doku. Wolves’ Matheus Nunes then joined the Blues on deadline day. In terms of outgoings, Treble winner Ilkay Gundogan departed for Barcelona, Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez moved to Saudi Arabia, and Cole Palmer completed a shock move to Chelsea.
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