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'Superb' Julian Alvarez praised by Ally McCoist, Pep Guardiola concerned by Man City injuries - 'We are in trouble'
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Published 20/09/2023 at 00:34 GMT+1
Julian Alvarez was the star man for Manchester City again as he netted a brace to fire his side to a 3-1 comeback win over Crvena Zvezda in the UEFA Champions League. The European champions found themselves a goal down at the break but Alvarez inspired a turnaround, earning praise from Ally McCoist. However, Pep Guardiola said after the game that City are "in trouble" as their injury list grows.
'The finish is incredible' - Alvarez levels for Man City moments into second half
Video credit: TNT Sports
It will be “very difficult” to drop Julian Alvarez after his “superb” performance for Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League, says Ally McCoist, but Pep Guardiola revealed further injury worries.
The Argentina international scored twice in a 3-1 win over Crvena Zvezda as the reigning European champions mounted a second half comeback at the Etihad.
McCoist was particularly impressed by Alvarez’s first goal, which drew City level two minutes after the restart to kick-start their comeback.
“First, his initial desire to make the run. [Erling] Haaland comes onto his left-hand side, but Alvarez forces his body in front of Hwang so he shows a great desire to get forward,” McCoist said on TNT Sports.
“Once he gets forward, if he doesn’t take the second touch immediately after the first, his angle’s beaten and he has to either stop and come back or choose another option. It is an absolutely top class finish.”
Alvarez has started the season in top form for City, scoring four goals and providing four assists in six games across all competitions.
McCoist believes it will be difficult for the 23-year-old’s team-mates to oust him from the starting line-up any time soon.
“I thought he was superb tonight. I said he went under the radar a little bit, what I meant was that when you think of Man City’s key figures you maybe think of the goalkeeper [Ederson], of [Ruben] Dias, Rodri, Haaland.
“Alvarez maybe wouldn’t immediately spring to mind, but on form like that it would be very difficult to keep him out of the side.”
Manager Guardiola was also full of praise for the striker when asked if Alvarez is now becoming the first name on his team sheet.
“He deserves it. He’s working ,scoring goals, making assists, so when that happens he deserves it,” Guardiola said.
However, there was some bad news for City as Guardiola revealed after the game that Bernardo Silva faces a spell on the sidelines.
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'He's some player!' - Cool Rodri finish puts City in cruise control
Video credit: TNT Sports
"I didn't speak with doctors but he's out for the next games," Guardiola told reporters.
City have a growing injury list that already includes Kevin de Bruyne, Jack Grealish, John Stones and Mateo Kovacic.
"We are in trouble," Guardiola added.
"When we have five important players - really really important players - injured, to sustain that for a long time will be difficult. But it is what it is.
"Sometimes it happens. Long time for Kevin, John still didn't play and needs a bit longer, maybe Kova is coming back, Jack maybe one week to 10 days will be there but after needs to make the conditions. We are in trouble but it is what it is.
"I'm not going to say we have a lot of injuries. It is what it is. I prefer to be everyone, but for the players we have we go for it. As much we have this mentality to go there, it's good."
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