Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was keen to praise one of his players in particular for their role in the 0-1 victory over Chelsea on Thursday night.
City bounced back from a hugely disappointing first-half in West London to dictate play during the opening exchanges of the second-half, and ultimately take all three points through a single goal from Riyad Mahrez.
The Algeria international combined well with fellow substitute Jack Grealish, to tap home at the back post and score the deciding goal in the fixture.
While the aforementioned pair made the ultimate difference in the game, two other substitutes can be credited for making a huge difference to the way Manchester City operated in the second-half; Manuel Akanji and Rico Lewis.
The defensive duo came on before the start of the second-half, in a move that also saw City switch away from an ultra-wide system, to a more narrow, controlled, and compact format that also saw them keep hold of the ball much better in the Chelsea half.
Speaking after the match, Pep Guardiola admitted to anticipating a specific set-up from Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, perhaps explaining why the Manchester City boss opted for a very different opening format to his starting eleven.
“I want to say thank you to Joao (Cancelo) and Rodri for making the effort to play in those roles, but I imagined that type of game where they (Chelsea) might have had five at the back, which they sometimes play, we could use Kyle (Walker) and Joao as full-backs,” he said.
“But in the first half, everything was sloppy, and we couldn’t keep contact with the wingers or the attacking midfielders and we didn’t create much. Our pressing was so poor, and we were not well organised.”
Pep Guardiola then pointed towards the changes he made at half-time, when Manuel Akanji and Rico Lewis replacing Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo – with the 18 year-old City academy product largely operating in a defensive midfield role, offering support to Riyad Mahrez in attacking positions.
Guardiola was especially complimentary of Lewis – who starred once again in the fourth consecutive senior Manchester City match that he has featured in this season – with the City boss claiming that the teenager even made star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne ‘play better’.
“In the second half, especially with Manu (Akanji) and Rico (Lewis) – and this young boy has the quality to make us better.
“Everyone can play better, but when (Rico) came in, Rodri played better, Kevin (De Bruyne) played better, and he has the talent to do this.”
He continued, “Since we have come back, he has been playing for us and he has become fundamental for us, the way he is playing right now.”
Rico Lewis can expect to receive even more game time in the coming two games in particular, as Manchester City take on back-to-back cup matches, with the first of the two coming against Chelsea once again – this time at the Etihad Stadium.
Graham Potter’s side travel to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon, for the third round of the FA Cup, and looking to make amends for the Carabao Cup exit to Pep Guardiola’s side and the defeat on Thursday night in the Premier League.
SOURCE: cityxtra.co.uk
