Injuries to Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, and John Stones have forced Pep Guardiola to turn to Max Alleyne and Abdukodir Khusanov as a centre-back pairing for Manchester City. The pair have started City...
Injuries to Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, and John Stones have forced Pep Guardiola to turn to Max Alleyne and Abdukodir Khusanov as a centre-back pairing for Manchester City. The pair have started City’s past three matches against Brighton, Exeter City, and Newcastle United. The pair have grown significantly as a centre-back pairing over those three matches.
Alleyne and Khusanov’s games do complement each other, and what is beginning to stand out is that the pair are developing a solid partnership at the back for City. That is a huge plus for Pep Guardiola’s side, as Alleyne and Khusanov played well together last night. They helped City keep a clean sheet in their 2-nil win over Newcastle United at St. James’ Park, helping City seize the initiative in their Carabao Cup semi-final.
Abdukodir Khusanov and Max Alleyne complement each in the heart of the Manchester City defence.
What Manchester City have in the centre-back pairing of Max Alleyne and Abdukodir Khusanov is the perfect contrast of styles. Alleyne is excellent in possession and he reads the game exceptionally well. He is good in an aerial challenge and a duel, but that side of his game does remain a work in progress. Abdukodir Khusanov reads the game well, and his pace and strength in a challenge is a strength of his play. Khusanov is by no means a mug in possession, he just needs to develop this side of his game further. Putting Alleyne and Khusanov together gives Pep Guardiola’s side a solid centre-back pairing with contrasting styles of play and they do seem to feed off of each other on the pitch.
That stood out last night in Manchester City’s win over Newcastle. Last night’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at St. James Park was the biggest challenge the pair had faced. That counts for them as individuals and as a centre-back pairing. It was a challenge that both players passed. It wasn’t a faultless display from the pair, Khusanov did make a rash challenge on the halfway line in the fourth minute of last night’s match which led to a Yoane Wissa chance, but the pair looked right at home playing in a big match in a hostile environment. That experience alone will do wonders for both players and their developing partnership. The fact that Alleyne and Khusanov thrived with their individual performances and together is a massive positive to take from last night’s match for Manchester City.
Khusanov and Alleyne had their first clean sheet together last night against Newcastle.
Speaking after Manchester City’s win over Newcastle United, Max Alleyne expressed pride in City keeping their first clean sheet since he returned to the club from his loan spell at Watford. He also said that he is forming a bond with Abdukodir Khusanov. Speaking in an interview with mancity.com after the match, he said: “For sure, it’s my first one (clean sheet) since coming back. I’m really proud of the team. I’ve really developed a bond with Khusanov, so It’s been really good playing with him. I’m looking forward to more.”
“It wasn’t easy. I think I just find you have to concentrate on the football and try and remove any other distractions. They’re such a tough, physical team, it’s such a loud place. It’s a tough place to come but I really enjoyed it.”
Abdukodir Khusanov and Max Alleyne weren’t the sole reason Manchester City kept a clean sheet last night. James Trafford made one superb save, Newcastle squandered several chances, and Nathan Ake, Bernardo Silva, and the entire City team helped contribute to that. But it was the first clean sheet for the pair as a centre-back pairing. That felt like a significant moment for them, and in the process, they showed that a promising duo at centre-back is growing for Pep Guardiola’s side in Max Alleyne and Abdukodir Khusanov.
Category: General Sports
