SAT, AUGUST 12 2023-theGBJournal |Manchester City began their defense of the league title by defeating Burnley 3-0 in the first match of the season. A brace from last season top scorer Haaland and a Rodri goal were enough.
Towards the end of the game, Anass Zaroury got a red card after a VAR intervention upgraded his yellow card, with Pep also getting a yellow card.
The home side struggled to contain the attacking prowess of the defending champions while Manchester City would be focused on their midweek Super Cup final game against Sevilla, Burnley would regroup for their next Premier League match against Aston Villa
Manchester City lost two crucial players including their captain, they haven’t fully replaced them, but they showed their ruthlessness in goal as they took care of Burnley.
City might be struggling for fitness but they have shown that they are still the ones to beat in the league. Teams should know that Manchester City aren’t going to be dethroned easily. City would be buoyed by last season’s success and would require more than loosing a few players to not turn the premier league into a farmers league
Kevin De Brune was replaced in the champions league finals due to injury and at various points last season struggled for fitness, this new season has started and still same KDB injury issues.
He is a world class with not many players better than him but with City in various competitions and favorites to defend their treble, they need to find a solution to the KDB scenario.
Whether it is to find a reliable deputy so they can manage his games or find a long lasting medical solution, KDB is vital to this City side and is vital his issue is sorted early enough.
There’s a new sheriff in town if last season showed a glimpse of vital Rodri is to this side this season started on a high, his passes, link up, build up play, defensive awareness has been key for City’s run to treble last season and it seems he is adding goals and assists to it.
Rodri has played multiple positions for Pep side and is showing to be a dependable soldier, Pep was also able to tweak tactics last season because of Rodri’s versatility and his ability to read game.
He might be a dark horse for Ballondor, but definitely is the World’s best DM, City would also have to manage Rodri games so as to not lose him in crucial games to injury.
Haaland started the season on fire, and many wonder if he would replicate last season goal wonders and he sure responded in style scoring a brace despite not finishing the match.
If last season was adapting season for Haaland, opposition teams should fear the worst this season, he knows how to be in the right position and is also good at finishing. He is expected a podium finish in Ballondor and with Kane gone he is also expected to defend his crown unless an inspiring Salah is back on forn.
Burnley were a team of delight at championship and depsiteloosing this game still showed glimpse of the beautiful football to expect, Burnley style would make them difficult to play against teams with lower quality although might leave them vulnerable
Foden is actually one of English most talented player but has struggled. He lost his place in the team last season, he was given an opportunity this season but failed to take advantage. In a star studded city team Foden might need to take his chances before Pep finally moves on from him
Alvarez was bought in as a back up to Haaland but has excelled in the new mild field role which allows him to create. He played there last season and got an assist in Friday’s game, while long term he won’t play in the position. He can be seen as a KDB plan B if City don’t find a another quality player in the transfer window.
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