Leicester City vs Manchester City: Five things we learned from the EFL Cup quarter-final
Leicester 1 Manchester City 1 (aet, 3-4 pens): Bernardo Silva's first-half strike put City in front and although the Foxes responded, they were knocked out of the League Cup
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Your support makes all the difference.A second-string Manchester City side made it through to the semi-finals of the EFL Cup with a penalty victory over Leicester at the King Power Stadium.
Bernardo Silva scored the opening goal of the game, slotting home with a calm finish into the corner of Ben Hamer’s goal. City’s young and inexperienced line-up impressed, but were pegged back late on by a Jamie Vardy penalty.
But after Claudio Bravo saved Riyad Mahrez's penalty in the shootout, Pep Guardiola’s side moved a little closer to his first trophy at the club.
Here are five things we learned from the game:
Pep’s bet on youth is bearing fruit
Manchester City’s manager went to the King Power Stadium with a team full of young talents. The Ukrainian Oleksandr Zinchenko, the English Phil Foden and the Spanish Brahim Diaz were part of the first XI. Pep’s bet could have ended badly and critics would have appeared quickly. However, the youngsters responded with a great performance and sent City into the semi-finals of EFL Cup. The offensive play of Foden and Diaz is more evident after every match together, since they understand each other perfectly and sometimes remind of other talented left-feet like David Silva and Leroy Sane. Tosin Adarabioyo did not hide in defence and probably performed better than his partner Eliaquim Mangala. Finally, Zinchenko played well at left-back, although sometimes he showed an attitude too offensive, something normal in a player accustomed to playing further forward.
The physical weakness of City
Despite the dominance of Guardiola’s team, this was not as evident as in previous matches. Claude Puel’s plan was based on achieving physical superiority in the midfield, and he accomplished just that on many occasions; the Iborra-King double act managed to impose themselves and stop their opponents.
Iheanacho struggles against his former side
Nigerian striker Iheanacho faced once again his former teammates and his performance was quite poor. Although he started actively, he could not finish well in several counter-attacks, making bad decisions and not finding his teammates. He seemed too anxious and one of his mistakes ended with Silva’s goal.
The revolution of the left-foot
The football shown during recent months by Manchester City has amazing the whole world. The quality of Guardiola’s players is beyond doubt, but his left-footed players in particular have something special. Starting with David Silva and his magic, along with the talent of Leroy Sane and finishing with the fantastic skill of Bernardo Silva. But in addition, three of the young promising players that faced Leicester (Diaz, Foden and Zinchenko) are also left-footed. There is no doubt that the magic in the left foot has a great future in Pep's team. And the left foot is synonymous of good football, something that the fans at the Etihad Stadium are eager to keep seeing.
Gundogan is recovering his best form
The German midfielder continues his positive return and is getting closer to the level he showed at Borussia Dortmund. Against Leicester, Gundogan led the midfield together with Yaya Toure and one of his bursts ended with the goal. At his best h could be a crucial player for Guardiola alongside the quality of David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne.
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