Gvardiol’s standout City games so far | OneFootball

Josko Gvardiol has enjoyed an impressive first 100 appearances in a Manchester City shirt.

Still only 23, the Croatian defender has shown experience and wisdom beyond his years.

Whether at left-back or in the heart of the defence, Gvardiol has become a key figure in Pep Guardiola’s plans.

As well as picking up four major honours so far, he was also named the Etihad Player of the Season for 2024/25.

Here we’ll take a look at five defining games in his City career so far...

City 1-0 Newcastle United, August 2023

After a substitute appearance at Burnley for his City debut and a start in the UEFA Super Cup, this clash with Eddie Howe’s Champions League hopefuls was his first home game.

Starting at left-back, City fans would soon get used to his willingness to push forward and join attacks whether down the flank or by stepping inside of the winger ahead of him.

The Magpies at the time were considered a potential contender for the title but City overcame them in an early season message to our rivals and Gvardiol was up and running.

City 0-0 Arsenal, MARCH 2024

After an injury lay off and a couple of games on the bench, this game marked the start of a long run in the team all the way to the title for Gvardiol.

Across the last 10 games, he missed only 45 minutes of action and it all began with this draw against our closest challengers.

It wasn’t a game that lived long in the memory for most watching, but for Gvardiol it became a benchmark that would propel him through the next 18 months or so.

Fulham 0-4 City, May 2024

With only two games to go after this one, we knew we couldn’t afford a single slip up in the race for the title.

And while it was set to be our record fourth successive triumph, it was a first for Gvardiol.

He handled the pressure in exemplary manner and this convincing win at Fulham would not have been possible without his surprising goalscoring instincts.

The first saw him nip in on to his right foot and find the corner in a manner that Erling Haaland would have been proud of.

His second and our third was a predator’s goal, ghosting in at the back post and prodding in from a tight angle.

Wolves 1-2 City, October 2024

Early in his second season at City, Gvardiol’s spectacular attacking output was just as well renowned as his defending.

And City really needed him at his best in this one having gone 1-0 down early on.

Collecting the ball 20 yards out on his right foot, he lined it up and hit an unstoppable curler into the corner. Truly, a goal that no left-back has a right to score!

City 2-0 Nottingham Forest, April 2025

The 2024/25 season was by no means perfect for Pep’s side, but Gvardiol was a key part of the squad that was battling on to Champions League qualification and deep into the FA Cup.

Rico Lewis had opened the scoring early on against Nottingham Forest at Wembley, but the Tricky Trees were growing into the game as the second half began.

However, that belief was quickly quashed when Gvardiol came up for a corner and simply wanted to win the header more than anyone else.

He met the ball high up and powered in – a clear sign of his mentality.