Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Manchester City youngster Rico Lewis after his side’s 3-2 victory against RB Leipzig on Tuesday night.
In conversation with TNT Sports (28/11/2023), the Spaniard singled Lewis out as one of City’s standout performers after they pulled off an inspiring comeback from two goals down at the Etihad Stadium.
The 52-year-old is clearly a fan of the versatile defender, describing him as a “master” after Manchester City beat Young Boys 3-1 in October.
Pep Guardiola praises “exceptional” Rico Lewis after Manchester City defeat RB Leipzig
Phil Foden also hailed the 19-year-old as “one of the best young players” he has ever seen.
While Glenn Hoddle was amazed by how mature the £25,000-a-week (Sport Rac) man’s game is, comparing his level of consistency to that of a 28-year-old player.
After Manchester City took home the all-important three points against RB Leipzig, Pep Guardiola briefly commended yet another impressive outing from Rico Lewis.
“Rico was again, exceptional”, Guardiola told TNT Sports after the clash.
Rico Lewis was one of Manchester City’s main game-changers on the night
Of course, Phil Foden will likely grab the headlines for being involved in every goal.
Erling Haaland will also be praised for getting on the scoresheet yet again and Julian Alvarez will be heralded for bagging a clutch winner right at the death.
But Pep Guardiola was right to highlight Rico Lewis’ importance in Manchester City getting over the line against RB Leipzig.
The England international was one of the Sky Blues’ better performers in the first 45 minutes of the encounter, playing in a right-sided midfield role.
But as soon as Rico Lewis was shifted to right-back after Kyle Walker was substituted in the 54th minute, he turned the game on its head in our view by improving the hosts’ build-up by inverting into midfield.
The highly-rated technician’s passing was typically inch-perfect while his decision-making was flawless and quick at all times.
This allowed City to take the game to Leipzig.
Rico Lewis’ influence was prevalent for Julian Alvarez’s late strike, as his stunning through ball found Jeremy Doku in acres of space, who laid the ball in Phil Foden’s path, whose deflected pass resulted in the winner.
Despite being such a young player, Lewis influences games time and again for his boyhood club.
