Before Manchester City drew nil-all with Manchester United in one of the most drab Manchester derbies in recent memory, eyebrows were raised when the starting lineups were announced. Pep Guardiola named Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan in midfield. We have seen that particular group struggle on the pitch together this season. They didn’t exactly set the world alight at Old Trafford yesterday. Come the final whistle you couldn’t help but wonder why Nico didn’t start the 196th Manchester derby.
Other than his dominant performance against Newcastle United in Manchester City’s 4-nil win at the Etihad in February Nico has been a steady presence in City’s midfield. He has made 10 appearances for Manchester City since arriving at the club from FC Porto. In those performances outside of the Newcastle game, Nico has been a stable performer rather than spectacular. At times he has struggled to win duels in midfield or has been caught in possession on occasions. But all told, Manchester City do appear to be a better team with Nico in the starting lineup.
That’s what was strange about Pep Guardiola’s team selection. Ilkay Gundogan was playing his third game in a week. He had performed well in City’s past two wins over Bournemouth and Leicester City. So his selection appeared justified. Although he did struggle to get around the pitch yesterday which may have been a symptom of starting three games in a week. It’s the decision to start Kovacic over Nico, that was a potential head-scratcher.
We have seen what Mateo Kovacic offers in midfield and perhaps Nico could’ve added the attributes Manchester City needed at Old Trafford.
Mateo Kovacic has had an up-and-down season for Manchester City. He isn’t alone on that front. But at times the way he plays does expose City’s high defensive line. We saw that yesterday when he was caught in possession trying to make a driving run through midfield in the first half. Manchester United dispossessed Kovacic in midfield and it led to a chance for United in the 20th minute. Although, Alejandro Garnacho squandered it. But that’s the risk that comes with starting Kovacic in midfield. Perhaps that risk may have been avoided by starting Nico at Old Trafford. We will never know that answer for sure. But while Manchester City controlled possession yesterday they lacked any real edge to their play. Perhaps Nico could’ve added that, maybe he wouldn’t have. But he does his best work as a number eight and those attributes of his play could have been handy yesterday.
Nico’s non-selection did raise eyebrows yesterday. Perhaps Pep Guardiola felt that Nico wasn’t ready to start a game of yesterday’s magnitude due to the fact he’s only just arrived at Manchester City. It could also be a case of Guardiola going into a big game with what he trusts at Old Trafford. Whatever the reason was you do hope that Nico starts more often across the end of this season. What he adds to the City lineup they lacked yesterday and for me, Manchester City are a better team with Nico on the pitch.