Guardiola names best position for Manchester City match-winner O’Reilly | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said Nico O’Reilly’s best position is as an attacking midfielder but is ‘more than grateful’ the academy product is helping his side at left-back.

Guardiola’s side left it late to claim three important points at Everton in their bid for Champions League qualification. City struggled to break down a stubborn Everton side for large periods of the game, with the Toffees offering their own threat from set-pieces.

The breakthrough eventually arrived on 84 minutes through O’Reilly. The 20-year-old has taken his opportunity in recent weeks and registered his fifth goal of the campaign with a burst into the box and near-post finish. Mateo Kovacic scored a second in stoppage time to seal the win.

Guardiola was relieved to see his side claim victory, a result that moves City up to fourth in the Premier League table.

“Stefan saved the balls that he saved. At set-pieces, they (Everton) are the best. Almost unstoppable. The second half was much better than the first,” Guardiola said to the BBC.

“The players made the step up, our attacking midfielders were closer, we were more incisive. I’m really pleased with the game we played, especially in the second half. Everton, you know, the run, winning. Liverpool could not win here. Aston Villa could not. What they do, they do magnificent. With the absences we have the players performed really well.”

Guardiola reserved added praise for O’Reilly, who has shone in a left-back role in recent weeks. Despite his displays, the Spaniard has insisted that the youngster continues to play out of position.

He said O’Reilly’s best role is more advanced but is grateful to have the academy product performing to such level.

“He’s an attacking midfielder. When you have pass, pass, pass, he can go in that position. He attacked the box unbelievably. Really pleased. Another player from the academy that is helping us a lot. More than grateful – and he is taking his opportunity.”

Read – Five in-demand Premier League players with release clauses

See more – Midfield Magicians: Fernando Redondo, gentleman, scholar and deep-lying playmaker supreme

Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok