Having spent eight years at the heart, the return to Shakhtar Donetsk was going to be a huge occasion for Fernandinho. But his first Manchester City beginning of the season was lent added importance given his function in Pep Guardiola’s side. The Brazilian was being deployed in defence – .
That there had been speculation about the prospect of the England venture with Nicolas Otamendi Before the news emerged on Tuesday the John Stones had suffered a muscle injury that would keep him out for at least a month. Once it became clear Guardiola is down to one match centre-back those fears raised.
Fernandinho is not Aymeric Laporte, nor is he Vincent Kompany, however he does possess the latter’s leadership qualities. His screen at the routine 3-0 win over Shakhtar of City indicated that he also shares the ability of Kompany to step in after a while at the shadows and then make it look easy. He seemed comfortable throughout in Kharkiv although this was his first start in five weeks.
Fernandinho’s only past moments this season came as a replacement when he came to the Laporte with City a target up in your home. That afternoon he had been at the rear four. “Different place, different function,” he said at that time. “But whatever the supervisor needs I will be ready and try to do my best as always.” Therefore it proved again.
His distribution was impeccable, misplacing just 1 pass and that was a lofted ball over the top that succeeded in playing Raheem Sterling. His best pass of the game was a great ball that is raking to Riyad Mahrez that showcased the distribution skills that he can bring to the group from within the back-line.
Defensively, his own team-mates as opposed to anything caused his only concerns that the resistance did. When Kyle Walker is cut inside by Moraes, Fernandinho managed to do enough to put the striker. He still had him covered by dashing off his line until Ederson caused confusion Whenever the exact same player darted in in the second half.
That apart, Fernandinho had the demeanour of a man who could cope at 54 with this kind of evaluation let alone 34. The question that the Manchester City supporters along with Guardiola will probably likely be asking is whether his existence in defence could be problematic once the group faces challenges that are bigger than the one posed in this Champions League opener.
It is already apparent that there’ll be no compromises when it comes to Manchester City’s high line. There was plenty of space in supporting the midfielder when their opponents had been in a position to locate the time, space or quality to pick out the pass. Will that be an area that could be manipulated by better resistance in their coming fixtures?
Perhaps City are lucky there’s too daunting awaiting them. It’s Dinamo Zagreb upward from the Champions League. Their two Premier League home games ahead of the break that is upcoming are contrary to Wolves along with Watford – the current bottom two and also the only teams without a win in the contest this season. City and Preston from the Carabao Cup visit with.
The test is likely to come away to Everton towards the close of the month – a fixture that the side of Guardiola famously dropped 4-0 in his first year. With Manchester City of Liverpool, they understand there is no margin for error. Accidents or not, should they wish to retain their name, they need to continue winning matches consistently.

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