Fernandinho suggests he can fill the void in Manchester City’s defence

Having spent eight years at the heart, the return into Shakhtar Donetsk was going to be a major occasion for Fernandinho. However, his Manchester City start of this season was given significance given his function at the side of Pep Guardiola. The Brazilian wasn’t just being deployed in defence – .
That there had been speculation about the prospect of the England partnership with Nicolas Otamendi before the news emerged on Tuesday the John Stones had suffered a muscle injury which would keep him out for at least a month. Once it became clear Guardiola is down to a single fit centre-back, those anxieties rose.
Fernandinho isn’t Aymeric Laporte, nor is it he Vincent Kompany, but he does have the latter’s leadership attributes. His display in the regular 3-0 triumph over Shakhtar of City indicated that he shares the capacity of Kompany to step in following a time in the shadows and make it appear easy. He looked comfortable throughout in Kharkiv although this was his first start in five years.
Fernandinho’s only moments this season had come as a replacement when he came on for the Laporte with City a target up in your home. He had been at the back four that afternoon too. “Different position, distinct function,” he explained in that time. “But whatever the supervisor needs I will be prepared and attempt to do my best as always.” So it proved .
His distribution has been impeccable, misplacing only one pass which was an ambitious lofted ball on the top that almost succeeded in playing in Raheem Sterling. His best pass of the match was an excellent chunk to Riyad Mahrez that showcased the distribution skills that he can bring to this group even from inside the back-line.
Defensively, his as opposed to anything caused his concerns that the opposition did. When Kyle Walker is cut in by Moraes, Fernandinho managed to do enough to put the striker off his shot. He had him covered by dashing off his line until Ederson triggered confusion when the player darted in in the second half.
That Fernandinho had the demeanour of a man who might cope with this kind of test let alone 34. The issue that Guardiola and the Manchester City supporters will probably ask is whether or not his existence in defence might be problematic once the team faces challenges that are bigger than the one.
It’s already apparent that there will be no compromises when it comes to Manchester City’s high line. When their opponents were in a position to obtain quality, space or the time to pick the pass out, there was plenty of space in supporting the midfielder. Will that be a place which could be manipulated by greater resistance in their fixtures?
City are fortunate there is too daunting awaiting them. It is Dinamo Zagreb up from the Champions League. Their two Premier League home matches ahead of the international break that is upcoming are from Watford and Wolves – the only teams without a win in the contest this year and the current bottom two. City and Preston in the Carabao Cup visit.
The test is likely to return to Everton towards the end of the month – a fixture which the side of Guardiola famously lost 4-0 in his first year. With Manchester City five points adrift of Liverpool, they know there isn’t any margin for error. Accidents or not, they will need to continue winning matches consistently should they wish to maintain their name.

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