"Savinho is playing really well thanks to Michel"

Savinho has made four starts for Manchester City in 13 days. The feeling is that he has earned a permanent place, at least for the moment, on Pep Guardiola's starting XI. He was key to Wednesday's Champions League Matchday 3 win over Sparta Prague with an assist, although it is not the numbers that his manager is most pleased with, but how well he is playing his football overall.

"He's playing really well. In three months with us, his level is really high. I had the feeling that it wasn't going to take him long to adapt. It's thanks to Michel's work at Girona. His style of play is quite similar to ours. I think he has learned a lot of things with Michel. I'm incredibly grateful to him and Girona for what they've done with him," he told a press conference after the 5-1 win.

Asked about the form of Erling Haaland, who scored again, he said: "He's happy, he's smiling. It's not easy for him because, in the box, he's got three defenders all over him. There is literally no space. In every cross, they surround him and push him. I spoke to him and told him to be patient, that the ball would eventually come to him. His finishing? As always, he has this unbelievable ability. The talent he has is unbelievable.

More generally, he commented: "We've been really good again. I'm really enjoying the way we've been playing lately. Excluding the second half against Fulham, overall, I'm quite pleased. We concede very, very few chances. We create a lot and we are able to finish. We have to be patient, though, or they can come at us on the counter. The other teams try to wait for us at the back because they know we are also quick in transitions.

 

October 23, 2024