Alvarez admits: I’m struggling to adapt

JULIAN ALVAREZ has admitted that the defensive nature of Manchester City’s opponents has hampered his adaptation to English football.

The Argentina striker — who will go to the World Cup with his country — cost City £14million in the summer and was named South American Footballer of the Year for 2021 after a stunning season at River Plate.

But he is Erling Haaland’s understudy at the Etihad and is aware that tonight’s Champions League dead rubber against Sevilla is an opportunity he must grasp. He has started just five games so far, scoring three goals.

‘There are lots of teams who come here and sit back and wait for us to come on to them,’ said the 22-year-old.

‘It’s difficult to find space and get in behind and as a striker I’ve got lots of players around me. Sometimes it’s hard to get as much time on the ball as you’re used to. If I have to make more movements and runs off the ball, that’s what I’ll do.’

Alvarez is set to be given the nod tonight, with Haaland afforded extra time to recover from the foot injury that kept him out of last weekend’s victory at Leicester. He is under no illusions about his role at the club, though head coach Pep Guardiola has insisted the strikers can operate in tandem.

‘That’s how things are, you have to accept it,’ Alvarez added. ‘I try to train as hard as I can so I’m ready to help the team.’

City have already won Group G and Guardiola has suggested he will ring the changes tonight, with teenagers Carlos Borges, Jadel Katongo and Dire Mebude called up to senior training for the first time yesterday.

Rico Lewis, 17, is pushing for a full debut and Cole Palmer could also be included.

MANCHESTER CITY (probable, 4-2-3-1): Ortega; Lewis, Dias, Ake, Gomez; Rodri, Gundogan; Mahrez, Foden, Grealish; Alvarez.