8 | Mateo Kovacic - 2023/24

[Haaland94]

Was on for about 20 mins including the extra time, so not that long, but he made 100% of his passes, had 2 good tackles, 1 interception, and a good run past a couple of players as well. After a very solid CL display, he seems to be back to his good form from earlier in the season.

 

[Blu1]

If he started alongside Rodri today they wouldn’t have had so much of the ball in my opinion. Shame he didn’t start today

 

[red 2 hats]

Not been great the last few games, but I thought he played well when he came on today, looked composed.

 

[Withnail]

If he started alongside Rodri today they wouldn’t have had so much of the ball in my opinion. Shame he didn’t start today

Completely agree we were far too open in midfield and a double pivot of Rodri and Kovacic would probably have made us more solid today.

 

[Saddleworth2]

We will learn loads from that game and so will some of our opponents.

 

[waspish]

Was on for about 20 mins including the extra time, so not that long, but he made 100% of his passes, had 2 good tackles, 1 interception, and a good run past a couple of players as well. After a very solid CL display, he seems to be back to his good form from earlier in the season.

Yep but without the ball he was poor silva and Rodri was running around closing down just before there penalty and Kovicic was stood there looking as the ball player passed him by! That type of chaotic game think I would put Philips on instead

 

[TrentGrisham]

Yep but without the ball he was poor silva and Rodri was running around closing down just before there penalty and Kovicic was stood there looking as the ball player passed him by! That type of chaotic game think I would put Philips on instead

I agree 100%. I thought he was good with the ball I'm really not sure why people think he's good defensively. Since preseason we've seen people run by him. He did make a good slide tackle on Sterling.

I thought Nunes's legs would have been a better call. He also had the most tackles in the league last year IIRC. It's clear he isn't quite trusted as of yet.

 

[skillman]

Brilliant tackle at the end of the game. Proper nailed whoever it was from their team (think it was Sterling) but got the ball too.

 

[waspish]

I agree 100%. I thought he was good with the ball I'm really not sure why people think he's good defensively. Since preseason we've seen people run by him. He did make a good slide tackle on Sterling.

I thought Nunes's legs would have been a better call. He also had the most tackles in the league last year IIRC. It's clear he isn't quite trusted as of yet.

Nunes has it in him and there is time for him but what I've seen he hasn't done that! Only player on our bench who could of done that was Lewis

 

[decmancity]

Should have started and definitely come on earlier. He is a great ball carrier, can handle and move away from pressure and I think his experience would have been key to calm the game down.

 

[Keeper!]

Looked fired up and wanting to prove a point at his old club, we need to see that from him every week.

 

[waspish]

With the ball top quality without a liability if Lewis came on instead of him that fourth goal wouldn't have happened in my opinion..

 

[skillman]

With the ball top quality without a liability if Lewis came on instead of him that fourth goal wouldn't have happened in my opinion..

Lewis hasn’t exactly excelled without the ball to be fair. His strengths, like Kovacic, are with the ball and movement.

 

[Franknorgrovesnephew]

Doing the rounds he celebrated Palmer's penalty I've looked at the footage and don't look like he did to me but it was on Twitter lol

 

[IrishBlueSince92]

Doing the rounds he celebrated Palmer's penalty I've looked at the footage and don't look like he did to me but it was on Twitter lol

A Sports bible story. In other words sensationalist nonsense. I haven't seen the footage mind you.

He also seemed to want to be sent off v Arsenal.
Maybe he's been sent here to ruin City lol

 

[waspish]

Lewis hasn’t exactly excelled without the ball to be fair. His strengths, like Kovacic, are with the ball and movement.

He closes down quicker gets tighter than Kovacic if you haven't seen that you not watched him closely enough!

 

[vanchi]

Doing the rounds he celebrated Palmer's penalty I've looked at the footage and don't look like he did to me but it was on Twitter lol

yeah, ALLEGED city fans shitting on their own players as usually.

i do that with my hand when i’m pissed off/frustrated btw, but farming for impressions/engagements from a supposedly “big” mcfc account eh. classy af.

 

[Pezzer2]

Doing the rounds he celebrated Palmer's penalty I've looked at the footage and don't look like he did to me but it was on Twitter lol

You could interpret that anyway you won’t. I’ll give him benefit of the doubt, he clenched his fist but it could be pure anger

 

[Sibierskii]

 

[M16 citeh]

Give over he barely moved a muscle haha. Some body language experts on twitter haha