Manchester Metropolis made historical past on Wednesday night time, breaking the document for the longest unbeaten run within the Champions League, beforehand held by cross-city rivals Manchester United.
It was a damaging win that sealed the deal for Pep Guardiola’s aspect, as they destroyed Czech aspect Sparta Prague 5-0 on the Etihad Stadium. The document now stands at 26 video games.
It was an outstanding exhibiting from the 2022/23 winners, who had 4 totally different goalscorers on the night time. Unsurprisingly, it was Erling Haaland who scored twice, together with his first a very spectacular acrobatic effort. The opposite Metropolis gamers to search out the again of the web had been Phil Foden, John Stones and Matheus Nunes.
There have been a number of standout performers from the Residents final night time, though Foden was in imperious kind in opposition to the Czech aspect.
Foden’s stats vs. Sparta Prague
It has been a curious season for the 2023/24 PFA Participant of the Yr winner. After a spellbinding marketing campaign final time period, by which he helped win one other Premier League title, Foden has struggled to interrupt into the beginning lineup underneath Guardiola this time period.
He has performed 9 video games in all competitions, with two objectives and two assists to his title up to now. Nonetheless, the Metropolis quantity 47 has simply 494 minutes, equating to simply 5.4 full 90-minute video games in whole, with damage and sickness a contributing issue.
Towards the reigning Czech champions, Foden impressed. His purpose was a traditional end, dancing between just a few defenders earlier than drilling his shot low and exhausting into the underside left nook. Outdoors of that, he was very good, an actual inventive power for the hosts within the remaining third.
His Sofascore stats additionally replicate an outstanding efficiency. The England worldwide had 78 touches, finishing 92% of his passes and creating two probabilities. He accomplished each of his tried dribbles and received 4 of seven tried duels.
Foden’s enterprising efficiency received him a 7/10 ranking from Objective journalist Richard Martin. He defined that the Metropolis attacker is lastly “approaching his greatest kind” after an detached begin to the season, and known as him a “fixed headache” for the opposition.
The 24-year-old starred on Wednesday night time, however one other of his Metropolis teammates, Savinho, arguably outshone him.
Savinho’s stats vs. Sparta Prague
Since becoming a member of the Premier League champions this summer time, Brazilian winger Savinho has shone. He has 4 assists in 11 video games and has proven – notably on Wednesday night time – that he might even be Metropolis’s reply to gifted Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal.
Not solely are they each younger, left-footed wingers, however the pair are comparable statistically on FBref too. Amongst different stats, the Metropolis man averages 2.75 key passes per sport and 10.5 progressive carries; comparatively, the Barcelona teenager averages 2.39 key passes and 5.57 progressive carries.
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Savinho vs. Yamal stats in contrast |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stat (per 90) |
Savinho |
Yamal |
|
Key passes |
2.75 |
2.39 |
|
Passes into remaining third |
0.50 |
2.73 |
|
Passes into penalty field |
4.50 |
3.07 |
|
Progressive carries |
10.5 |
5.57 |
|
Carries into remaining third |
3.0 |
3.18 |
|
Carries into penalty space |
5.5 |
2.73 |
|
Take-ons accomplished |
2.75 |
3.41 |
|
Stats from FBref |
||
The wingers are two of essentially the most thrilling abilities in world soccer, so for Metropolis to have a participant so much like Bracelona’s thrilling younger expertise, each stylistically and statistically, is an thrilling luxurious for Guardiola.
Focussing on the efficiency in opposition to the Czech outfit, former Girona winger Savinho stood out for all the precise causes and obtained an 8/10 ranking from Martin. The journalist was filled with reward for the Brazil worldwide, explaining that he “ran the guests ragged”, praising him for the actual fact he was “destroying opponents” on the precise wing.
The 20-year-old was spellbinding having created 5 key passes and two large probabilities, even managing to register an help for Haaland’s first purpose. He accomplished 4 of his eight tried dribbles, and labored exhausting off the ball, successful six floor duels.
It was a beautiful efficiency from Metropolis’s reply to Yamal, Savinho final night time. He’ll little doubt be hoping to proceed this manner because the Premier League champions look to push for titles in all competitions.
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The Spaniard’s time on the Etihad might quickly be up.