by With implacable zigzag that broke out along the wing and dribbling razors in the Al Ain region, the new left back of Manchester City, Rayan Aït-Nouri, was a powerful force during the 6-0 Sunday victory at the Mercedes-Benz stadium in Atlanta.
During the second victory of the city cup group, the 24 -year -old performed precisely what Pep Guardiola asked him to do.
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“He told me to play my game without pressure,” said Aït-Nouri. “Discuss with the ball, also come across the box. I try to respect the advice he gives me. I hope we will be good for the next steps. It was freedom. I am very happy to play like that, without pressure.”
In relation: Ilkay Gündogan wishing to see the last year of the Manchester City contract
After the discomfort last season, City must fall back on the electric game that dominated the national game during most of the previous eight years of the Guardiola mandate. Do it during the club World Cup and they could successfully defend a trophy claimed two years ago in the iteration of seven competition teams.
The signing of 31 million sterling pounds of Wolves with a rhythm of lightning and fast feet could be the catalyst, the man to move the sector for a side whose energy levels have the last -term flat route.
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In any Guardiola unit, the rear must be able to rush and join the attack. Imagine Kyle Walker by doing the season after the season along the right and see the dimensional city missed the opposing flank – until the arrival of Aït -Nouri des Loups – Do not sign a natural left rear capable of becoming a first team player established since summer 2017.
Then Benjamin Mendy arrived from Monaco. But a combination of injuries and a complicated privacy – which led to judicial cases in which he was authorized – hindering his career in town (he left in 2023), with Guardiola deployment of rescue in the post for most of the last eight seasons, notably João Cancelo, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Sergo Gómez, Josko Gvardiol, Nathan Aké and Nico.
Guardiola was delighted by the performance of Aït-Nouri, saying: “Wow. He had to defend a rear four, then make a rear five. He played very well. It was his first match, but he played in the Premier League for many years. He can help us play in this role outside, but he then played the midfielder and go to the pockets – he moves very well in the spaces.
“He is intelligent and clear to defend and take the ball. He is so intelligent in the last third, making the right decisions to create more spaces. Really satisfied with the game he played.”
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Aït-Nouri is also excited to work with Guardiola and to link to Erling Haaland in attack. He says, “We know that Erling is a great player – he has done a lot of great things in football. It’s good to play with him and play with other players. It’s the best team in the world playing their good game.
“I had a few opportunities to cross it – it’s part of my game right now. I like to drive the ball to the job for the attacker.
“I haven’t done any help, but the most important thing is victory. I liked to play with the team, I wanted to give everything on the field and it was a good game for me. I hope it will continue like this. It’s a great honor to play [for Guardiola]. I can improve myself with him.
Rayan Cherki, an attacker, who scored against Al Ain, and no 8 Tijjani Reijnders, who impressed during the city’s 2-0 opening victory against Wydad, are the other major summer signatures of City.
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Aït -Nouri says: “We are very happy to play together. They also made a very good first match. Rayan played well – he scored. It’s very good for us, for confidence too.”
Another unanswered goal against Al Ain and a draw against Juventus at the Orlando campsite stadium in the 3 p.m. local stadium would have been enough to be group G., but now the victory is necessary to obtain first place and avoid the group’s winners from which two from Real Madrid, Red Bull Salzburg and Al-Hilal will progress.
Aït-Nouri said of the display against Al Ain: “We played our game. We tried to score a lot of goals and scored six goals; it’s good for confidence. I hope we will continue like that.”
If Aït-Nourri thrives against Juventus as he did against Al Ain, City’s prospects to take the three points should Record.
