Julian Alvarez He won’t say anything but he will give signs. The one from Calchín is increasingly a protagonist in the Manchester Citywho debuted his world champion title by beating the Everton and adding three key points in the Premier League.
The team of Pep Guardiola.suffers from the absence of stars like Erling Haaland y Kevin De Bruyne (they are recovering from injuries), and they still cannot replace the void left by a great all-rounder like the German İlkay Gündoğan (he left for Barcelona). But the one who never fails is Julián.
The former River has the trust of the Spanish coach and takes advantage of it every time he has to jump onto the field, which lately has become a healthy habit: Julián definitely got into the starting 11 of a City that is running from behind in the Premier but is already stalking the leading positions.
Julian had already shown it in the final of the Club World Cup, being the great figure of the duel against Fluminense: he scored a double and an assist in the 4-0 win, opening the scoring after 39 seconds with a goal from the chest that was record.
Now, against Everton, City seemed to pay dearly for the jet lag of the trip to Saudi Arabia when, 29 minutes into the first half, the former Leeds, Jack Harrison It was 1-0 that unleashed emotions in a Goodison Park with fans who are excited about escaping the relegation positions.
Things changed for Guardiola and company in the second half, when Julián had his favorite partner in this transition stage at City: Phil Foden. The 23-year-old Englishman (the same age as the Argentine) took a left-footed shot that was the tie, and then almost scored the winning goal after a low cross from Araña.
The 2-1 finally arrived. It was a penalty and Julián grabbed the ball to take charge of the shot, as in every corner or infraction near the area. The man from Cordoba sought to secure his shot in the middle and almost excelled Jordan Pickfordwho was about to take her out with his legs.
From hero to villain, the British goalkeeper would end up being responsible for the goal that resolved the match: he missed a pass in an exit and the Portuguese Bernard Silva (another crack among cracks) he placed it masterfully from above to seal the 3-1 that closed the account.
City, winner of five titles in an unforgettable 2023, has already closed the chapter dedicated to the Club World Cup and is waiting for the round of 16 of the Champions League in February, where it won a favorable draw and will face FC Copenhagen.
It is time to accelerate in the Premier, and Guardiola knows it: with this victory he remains 5 behind the leader Liverpool and puts pressure on Arsenal, which plays this Thursday against West Ham.