The return to Shakhtar Donetsk was going to be a significant occasion for Fernandinho. But his very first Manchester City start of this season was lent importance given his function in the facet of Pep Guardiola. The Brazilian wasn’t only being put as a one-off in defence – .
Before the news emerged on Tuesday that John Stones had suffered a muscle injury that would keep him out for at least a month, that there had been speculation about the possibility of the partnership of the England international with Nicolas Otamendi demonstrating expensive for City. Those anxieties just improved once it became apparent Guardiola is down to a match centre-back.
Fernandinho is not Aymeric Laporte, nor is it he Vincent Kompany, but he does have the latter’s leadership attributes. His screen in City’s routine 3-0 win over Shakhtar suggested that he also shares Kompany’s ability to step in after a time in the shadows and then make it seem easy. He looked comfortable during in Kharkiv although this is his first start in five weeks.
Fernandinho’s only moments this year had come as a replacement when he came on for the Laporte with City a target up at home. That afternoon too he had been in the rear four. “Different place, different function,” he said in the moment. “However, whatever the manager needs I’m ready and attempt and do my best as always.” Therefore it proved.
His supply was impeccable, misplacing one pass during the first half which was an ambitious lofted ball over the top that nearly succeeded in playing at Raheem Sterling. His best pass of the match was an ball that is raking to Riyad Mahrez that showcased the supply skills he can bring to this team even from within the back-line.
Defensively, his own team-mates rather than anything brought on his only worries that the opposition did. When Moraes cut inside Kyle Walker, Fernandinho was able to do enough to put the striker. He still had him covered by dashing off his line until Ederson caused confusion when the player darted in behind early in the second half.
That apart, Fernandinho had the demeanour of a man who may cope at 54 with this sort of evaluation 34. The question that Guardiola and the Manchester City fans will probably ask is whether his presence in defence might be problematic when the group faces challenges that are bigger than the one presented in this Champions League opener.
It is already apparent that there’ll be no compromises when it comes in Manchester City line. If their opponents were in a position to obtain quality, space or the time to select out the pass, there was plenty of space in behind the midfielder. Will that be a place which could be manipulated by greater opposition in their forthcoming fixtures?
City are fortunate there’s too daunting awaiting them. It is Dinamo Zagreb upwards in the Champions League. Their two Premier League home matches prior to the global break are against Wolves and Watford – that the present bottom two and the only teams without a win at the contest this season. City and Preston from the Carabao Cup trip.
The largest test is very likely to come away to Everton towards the end of the month – a fixture that the side of Guardiola superbly lost 4-0 in his first year. With Manchester City currently five points adrift of Liverpool, they understand there isn’t any allowance for error. Injuries or not, should they wish to retain their name, they will need to keep winning matches.

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