Champions League: Guardiola hails Nicolas Pépé
Manchester City beat Villarreal 2-0 on Tuesday night in the Champions League, consolidating their European momentum. After the match, Pep Guardiola praised Nicolas Pépé’s performance, whom he still considers a “dangerous” player in the final third.
At the end of Manchester City’s 2-0 win at Villarreal, Pep Guardiola was keen to praise Nicolas Pépé’s display, whom he still regards as a “dangerous” player in the final third. Erling Haaland had opened the scoring as early as the 17th minute, before Bernardo Silva doubled the lead shortly before the break, putting the Citizens in a comfortable position.
But in the second half, the former Arsenal winger made an impact with a clear chance in the 77th minute. Alone at the far post, Pépé saw his volley sail over the crossbar. A missed opportunity, but it didn’t stop Guardiola from lauding his talent.
Asked at a press conference at the Cerámica stadium, the Catalan coach had nothing but praise:
« He’s a very good player. I remember him well from Arsenal. I’m happy to see him here, at Villarreal. » And Guardiola added: « If Arsenal paid such a sum at the time, it was because he was worth it. He’s very dangerous in the final third, one-on-one. Jeremy [Doku] and Bernardo [Silva] had to do a lot of defensive work to contain him. »
Transferred to Villarreal after a mixed spell in England, Nicolas Pépé seems to have rediscovered his form in La Liga. Voted player of the month for August, the Ivorian is actively contributing to the Yellow Submarine’s good form, currently third in the Spanish league.
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