World Cup Qualifying: Manchester City Represented Well in Matches

LIMA, PERU – OCTOBER 06: Sergio Aguero of Argentina drives the ball during a match between Peru and Argentina as part of FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifiers at Nacional Stadium on October 06, 2016 in Lima, Peru. (Photo by Leonardo Fernandez/LatinContent/Getty Images) /

Following their 2-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on October 2nd, Manchester City headed into the international break with several players leaving for World Cup Qualifiers.

15 Manchester City players were brought into their respective countries’ rosters for the second and third rounds of World Cup Qualifying matches. The second round began on Thursday and will conclude on Saturday, while the third round begins on Sunday and concludes on Tuesday.

Here is a recap of the Manchester City players who featured in Thursday and Friday’s action around the globe.

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UEFA:

Aleksandar Kolarov (Serbia). Kolarov featured in the entire match in Serbia’s 3-0 victory over Moldova. He played as a left wing-back in a 3-4-3 formation. Even though he finished with a 71% passing completion percentage, Kolarov was able to make some plays down the flank which is one of his strengths.

David Silva (Spain). In Spain’s 1-1 road draw against Italy, Silva featured on the left-wing at times and played the entire 90+ minutes. He finished with a 93% completion percentage passing-wise, and was able to play in a more attacking role than with Manchester City.

Nolito (Spain). Nolito was on the bench for Spain’s 1-1 draw at Italy, but did not feature as a substitute.

Alexander Zinchenko (Ukraine). The Manchester City loanee, featured in the starting line-up during Ukraine’s 2-2 draw at Turkey. He finished with a 90% passing completion percentage, but was subbed off at halftime. He had one shot, which was off-target.

Bersant Celina (Kosovo). Another Manchester City loanee featured in UEFA qualifying, as Bersant Celina started as the main striker for Kosovo. However, the hosts fell 6-0 against Croatia, while Celina played 62 minutes. He had one shot on target, while finishing with a 92% passing completion percentage. The 20 year-old has tallied three goals so far for FC Twente in the Dutch Eredivisie.

Bacary Sagna (France). It was a busy day for Bacary Sagna as he was subbed off after 27 minutes with an apparent thigh muscle tear. He also conceded a penalty kick opportunity for Bulgaria, but also set up an equalizer on Kevin Gameiro‘s goal. France ended up winning 4-1 at home on Friday. If it is a tear, Sagna could be ruled out for a while.

CONMEBOL:

Claudio Bravo (Chile). Bravo didn’t have the best night on Thursday, as Chile fell 3-0 away from home against Ecuador. After missing the first round of qualifiers due to his joining of Manchester City, Bravo returned in-goal for Chile and made six saves but will look for a better result early next week.

Gabriel Jesus (Brazil).
The 19 year-old made a great performance for Brazil scoring a goal, and chipping in an assist in a 5-0 win vs Bolivia. Jesus featured for 67 minutes, and also had another shot on target. This is a great sign for the future after Jesus’ strong showing in the 2016 Summer Olympics for the Gold Medalists.

Fernandinho (Brazil).
The Brazilian midfielder started and played the entire match as Brazil won 5-0. Fernandinho won five duels, four headers, and finished with a 89% passing completion percentage. He led Brazil with the most passes in the match with 88.

Sergio Aguero (Argentina).
In a 2-2 draw in Peru, Aguero started slightly underneath Gonzalo Higuain in attack. He had one shot on target, while finishing with a 73% passing completion percentage in a 73 minute start.

Nicolas Otamendi (Argentina).
Otamendi partnered with Everton‘s Ramiro Funes Mori as the centerback duo in a 2-2 draw. He had a 63% passing completion rate, while winning one header, one tackle, and three duels. It seemed as if the Argentina back-line was pressure often in the road draw.

Pablo Zabaleta (Argentina).
Zabaleta added an assist in Argentina’s 2-2 draw at Peru on Thursday. He played the entire match at right-back, while making one clearance, one successful tackle, one header, and winning two duels. Zabaleta easily is counted on as a veteran leader in the back-line at 31 years old.

Next: Only two Manchester City players called in for England WCQ's

Manchester City loanee Joe Hart, center-back John Stones, and midfielder Ilkay Gundogan all will be action during Saturday’s UEFA qualifiers. England originally had Raheem Sterling in their plans for qualifying as well, but due an injury on October 5th, Sterling will not be joining the Three Lions. England face Malta at 12 p.m. EST while Germany host the Czech Republic at 2:45 p.m. EST.

Be sure to check back later for more coverage of Manchester City players on tour for World Cup Qualifying.