50-up for Jesus in easy Palace win
Striker’s form for Brazil earned place in side
GABRIEL Jesus played his way into the City team by picking up rhythm for Brazil.
The young striker kept up his record of scoring every time he has started this season when he headed home the opening goal of their 2-0 win over Crystal Palace. He scored against Everton before the international break but was then on the bench for games against Dinamo Zagreb and Wolves.
Aguero, who had been carrying an injury, has had the last fortnight to rest up having not been selected for Argentina. But Jesus, who looked lively for Brazil against Nigeria last week and has stepped up in recent months after struggling last year following the World Cup, was the sharper when the squad reconvened at the Etihad to prepare for Saturday’s game.
That swung it for City’s manager, who did not need reminding that he has the luxury of two star strikers to be able to choose between as they compete in four competitions.
However, many problems they have in defence, both centre-forward are fit and in form.
“We have two incredible strikers and Sergio is so important for this club,” he said. “Gabriel came back from Brazil, Sergio was 10 days without rhythm in training, that’s why I decided. But both are important.
“When Sergio plays he plays a good level and when Gabriel plays he plays a good level. After that I will take a decision. It depends on many, many things.”
Meanwhile, Guardiola says his decision to name two central midfielders as centre-backs against Palace gave City a new dynamic in attack.
The Blues boss was forced to name the two players in unfamiliar positions as Nicolas Otamendi added to City’s defensive injury woes.
With Aymeric Laporte absent until the new year, John Stones returned to the bench but was not deemed fit enough to start. Otamendi picked up a knock in international duty and was not part of the travelling squad to Selhurst Park.
That meant Fernandinho , who has stepped in alongside Otamendi at the back for the last month, and Rodri were deployed at in a newlook back four. But Guardiola admitted after the game their presence in defence helped improve his side’s performance at Palace as they recorded a fairly comfortable 2-0 victory.
He told BBC Sport: “Our build-up was quicker because they have more intelligence and they pass the ball so well because they are central midfielders.”
Expanding on their performance to Sky, Guardiola admitted record signing Rodri had never played in defence, even in training.
“Rodri did not train one day in that position,” he revealed.
“The back four responded well I think.
“We played good, created a lot of chances. They [Palace] are always so strong for the second ball.
“Unfortunately we could not convert the enough chances we had but it was an important three points after the international break.”