Savinho struggled when he was named in the starting line-up at the Bernabeu, so Pep Guardiola has explained what went wrong for the winger.
Manchester City need a win against West Ham tonight, so it will be interesting to see how Pep Guardiola’s team selection looks.
There were a few unexpected decisions during the midweek Champions League tie, one of which was to keep Savinho in the first eleven.
The Brazilian may have landed on the scoresheet against Newcastle last weekend, but it seemed a gamble playing him in Madrid.
Nevertheless, Savinho did start, although his time on the pitch only lasted 45 minutes before he was replaced by Tijjani Reijnders.
Savinho struggled against Real Madrid’s low block
Pep Guardiola has revealed that he started Savinho against Real Madrid due to his excellent display in the FA Cup fifth round.
However, the 21-year-old was unable to replicate this performance, because he struggled to break down Real Madrid’s deep defensive block.
Guardiola told Hayters TV: “I’m pretty sure Savinho, if he would not play the way he played in Newcastle, he would not play in Madrid. But I saw him there, I said, ‘Oh, guys, this is a mood, and I love wingers’.
“But against Newcastle, man-marking, dribbling [Lewis] Hall, one against one against the keeper. And in Madrid it was low, low block and a lot of help. It was more difficult for Savinho.
Speaking about what Savinho needed to do differently, Guardiola continued: “He has to dribble one or two or three. They have to learn what happened when it’s one or two, three, attract them, pass the ball, go the opposite side, make another free man in the other positions.
“But it’s a process, 21 years old, first or second time in Bernabeu. Bernardo [Silva] had more experience, Riyad Mahrez had more experience.”
Savinho was aided by Matheus Nunes when Man City beat Newcastle
While Guardiola has made a valid point, it is also worth considering that Savinho was affected by the man playing behind him.
Matheus Nunes started at Newcastle and he made overlapping runs, which gave the Magpies plenty to think about.
Abdukodir Khusanov does not have the same attacking instincts and this became quite clear against Real Madrid.
If Savinho is able to succeed as a winger, he needs to have a right-back who is comfortable getting forwards and stretching the opposition defence.
