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Shakhtar 0 Manchester City 3 Player Ratings and MOTM

By David Crook

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 07: The match balls are seen inside the stadium prior to the Group F match of the UEFA Champions League between Manchester City and FC Shakhtar Donetsk at Etihad Stadium on November 7, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 07: The match balls are seen inside the stadium prior to the Group F match of the UEFA Champions League between Manchester City and FC Shakhtar Donetsk at Etihad Stadium on November 7, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
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The Defence

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 04: Nicolas Otamendi of Manchester City in action during the FA Community Shield match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on August 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 04: Nicolas Otamendi of Manchester City in action during the FA Community Shield match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on August 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

Ederson

It was refreshing to see a return of the slightly unhinged Ederson we have known and loved. In recent games he has stayed in goal. He has not crossed the half way line to take a throw in or even swap passes in midfield. This new cautious Ederson has been in goal every single match this season, but against Shakhtar our original Ederson turned up. One rush of blood and he was off! Even made some good saves to preserve our clean sheet.

Player Rating 7

Kyle Walker

Walker was more solid in this game than against Norwich, but that probably seems as though he is being damned with faint praise. His power was needed on occasion but his passing radar was off and at times he had to be marshalled by Fernandinho who was occupying the left sided centre back role.

Player Rating 7

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Nicolas Otamendi

If his bicycle kick had been allowed to stand he would have scored 10 and won the goal of the season. Unfortunately it was offside. The General looked unflustered alongside Fernandinho and seemed more comfortable. Kept his passing short and crisp and over committed with kamikaze enthusiasm only once or twice.

Player Rating 7

Fernandinho

Brought some welcome solidity to the backline and gave something of a Captain’s performance as he ensured his erstwhile defensive colleagues were roughly where they should be. Won just about every ball in the air as well. If anything it was his passing which did not quite live up to expectation as he tried without success to replicate the diagonal passes of Laporte. Whether this was because he was trying to use his left foot, or his position on the pitch was not clear. We need him in every game.

Player Rating 8

Oleks Zinchenko

Seemed to relish playing in his home nation and looked comfortable throughout. It is fair to say he was not really challenged though. After Mendy came on he moved into central midfield and linked up well.

Player Rating 7

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