Guardiola praises ‘incredible’ youngster after impressing on first Man City start | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has praised ‘incredible’ youngster Claudio Echeverri after an impressive display in his first start for the club.

Manchester City continued their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a 6-0 demolition of UAE side Al Ain. The win confirms that the Blues will progress to the knockout stages.

Out of City’s six goals on the night, Echeverri’s free-kick was the pick of the bunch. The Argentine has entered the frame at the Citizens in recent weeks, having not featured much since arriving from River Plate back in January.

Despite this, he impressed against Al Ain, in what was his first start since moving to the Etihad. Speaking to DAZN, Guardiola said: “He’s an incredible player, a big, big talent in small spaces, and I’m happy for him.

“I want to tell you a secret: Last season, when he arrived, after every training session he practiced free-kicks alone. So all his work paid off. If you score a goal, it’s because he practiced. When the other guys don’t practice, they don’t score goals.”

Ilkay Gundogan also found the net twice. On the 34-year-old, Guardiola insisted: “He is an exceptional player. Exceptional in all senses.

“He’s really, really good and made a fantastic goal, he reads what we have to do every game. I’m really pleased.”

The match saw a debut for new signing Rayan Ait-Nouri. His new boss said: “We knew it. A talent, in the final third a lot of talent, defensively, he can play outside, he can play inside, and in the final third he’s so clever. Really good.”

Rodri featured from the bench again as he continues his return from injury, with Guardiola saying the Spaniard’s limited game time is natural given the length of time he has been out for.

“Today he played more than 30 minutes, really good,” Guardiola said. “He cannot play more, still in contacts and duels he struggles a little.

“But it’s normal after an injury of 11 and 12 months, so it’s important he plays much, much better than the previous game, momentum.

“We miss him a lot. The best player in the world, there is no team where he cannot be missed. But step by step he’s coming back.”

City will face Juventus in their final group game, which will decide who finishes first and second in the group.

After making 11 changes between the first two matches, Guardiola commented: “Everyone is ready and we’re going to pick the best… For sure, 11 new ones are not going to play because we’ve played everyone already.”