Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has described Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana as ‘exceptional’, ahead of the Champions League final.
City are now fully focused on the weekend, after celebrating a second trophy of the season on Saturday.
City defeated Manchester United 2-1 at Wembley to win the FA Cup.
Ilkay Gundogan grabbed City’s two goals, and the outcome was perfect for City ahead of the clash with Inter in Istanbul.
Both managers and some players have now spoken ahead of the game in press conferences.
Simone Inzaghi said yesterday that his side do not fear City, and he picked out Lautaro Martinez as one player who could perhaps cause City some headaches.
Guardiola offered his thoughts today about the game, as did Kyle Walker.
And Pep pointed to an Inter player who perhaps doesn’t get that much recognition, as someone who impresses him.
He said (as quoted by Sky Sports): “They are a team with a lot of history, they have done really well with the shape, it’s not just how good they defend.
“It’s how good they are in transitions and linking with the strikers. They have a real good process, starting from [Andre] Onana, an exceptional goalkeeper in the build-up – one of the best in the world right now.”
Andre Onana is quality – but hopefully Pep’s comments will weigh on his mind during Champions League final
We know that Pep loves to praise opposition players.
But Onana is genuinely really good at building attacks from the back. He is not quite Ederson, but his passing range is solid.
One wonders if the Cameroon international catches wind of these comments how we will fare in Saturday’s final.
For arguably the best manager in football to brand you ‘exceptional’ ahead of the biggest game in club football is fairly significant.
When Onana is on the ball on Saturday and has the likes of Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne closing him down, who knows if these Pep remarks might just pop into his head and lead to him losing focus.
