Manchester City defeated Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium thanks to a goal from Julian Alvarez, his first in the Premier League.
Julian Alvarez of Manchester City attempts to score against Nottingham Forest
When Julian Alvarez was selected to start for Manchester City against Nottingham Forest, there weren't many objections, and it wasn't particularly shocking.
In recent news conferences, Pep Guardiola lauded him, suggesting that he could have scored three goals against Barcelona in a friendly and lauding his 'unsung' role in City's comeback victory over Crystal Palace. The manager praised Alvarez and predicted great things for him in the upcoming weeks once the fixtures began to arrive every three days, saying, "You will see."
Alvarez did receive a start from Guardiola, but it was next to Erling Haaland, thus he was not deployed in his natural position and, quite literally, played in his shadow for the whole of the first half.
Alvarez lined up behind Haaland in offensive midfield and was assigned a supportive role like to what Kevin De Bruyne has been doing lately, but with more runs off the ball behind the defense as opposed to in front of the opposition.
Haaland stole the show with his second hat-trick in as many halves. He was active early on, prodding a corner towards Dean Henderson and forcing a save, but he dwindled slightly as City knocked the ball from side to side, sometimes bypassing him.
Although there was some fine hold-up play and harrying of the defense, Alvarez wasn't able to display any of his striker skills until the 43rd minute. He stole the ball from a defender, held it close, and from 20 yards out, blasted a solid shot off the outside of the post.
Alvarez may have expected Haaland to be changed at halftime because there were more difficult tests ahead, but he stayed on the field and wasn't removed during the first round of substitutions either. Alvarez was still competing for Haaland's leftovers as a result, and he had few opportunities to participate.
Before ultimately proving why Guardiola is so pleased with him by coming alive to score a completely deserving goal, he made one terrific run that resulted in him winning a corner as a low cross for Haaland was cut out, displaying indications of a link between the two forming.
Alvarez made a move that Sergio Aguero would have been proud of between the fullback and center back on the right side while Haaland was occupied. He then collected Riyad Mahrez's lovely flick and confidently fired across Henderson and into the far corner.
Alvarez kept up his impressive performance after Haaland was finally substituted. He ran the length of the field from a Forest free kick to join a breakaway attack, timed his run into the box perfectly,He confidently struck towards the far corner, crossing Henderson.
Alvarez kept up his impressive performance after Haaland was finally substituted. He ran the length of the field in response to a Forest free kick to join a breakaway attack, timed his run into the box perfectly, and fired a loose ball into the goal to seal the 6-0 victory.
If his first goal was similar to an Aguero finish, his second goal was a run that would make his countryman proud, and Alvarez's entire performance was full of presses and runs similar to a young Aguero in general.
This week, Guardiola stated that Alvarez's skill level astonished him the most, and his tenacious performance in this match demonstrated why. The additional goals were a bonus.
Alvarez's goals were a reward for his diligence since joining the team, the manager gushed after the game.
There doesn't seem to be a single individual, he remarked, who is not pleased with Julian's two objectives.
"He has been a part of our training since day one. A year and a half ago, Joan Patsy, a city scout, informed me how exceptional he was. He is young, has scored several goals under intense pressure to win at River Plate, and is intelligent. We have two strikers of extraordinary caliber. Erling is our starting number nine, but it's helpful to have the other two there if teams defend deeply because it's so crucial."
Alvarez might have to be patient in order to get his chances, and those chances might come in contests where Haaland continues to garner all the attention. Alvarez, though, might be a hidden asset who is already beginning to validate Guardiola's expectations behind Haaland's goals.
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