Manchester City recorded a 3-1 win over RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League last night, although it was a difficult game for Manuel Akanji.
The Switzerland international was actually entrusted by Pep Guardiola to start in midfield – in the John Stones role – with his performance attracting a bit of criticism from local media in Manchester.
So, what was said about Manuel Akanji? Let’s take a look…
What’s the story?
Well, the £15m man was one of the first players to be substituted by Guardiola – coming off in the 72nd minute along with Jack Grealish.
During his time on the pitch, Akanji was fairly quiet.
As WhoScored shows, the Manchester City No.25 failed to register a single tackle, while he also came off without making a key pass between the lines, both of which Stones has excelled at doing when used in this position.
After the game, the Manchester Evening News claimed Akanji must improve if he wants to stay in the starting XI.
They wrote: “Playing the John Stones role by pushing into midfield, Akanji needs to improve his passing if he wants to rival Stones more seriously. He was also unsuccessful in stopping Openda’s run and finish.”
The Manchester Evening News gave the Swiss defender a match rating of six out of ten.
Manuel Akanji is under pressure at Manchester City
The 28-year-old is a fantastic footballer, although he is now under pressure to perform consistently after the £77.6m signing of Josko Gvardiol and the imminent return of Stones.
Last season, the England international proved himself as one of the best midfielders in Europe after Guardiola pushed him higher up the pitch.
While that still leaves a position in defence for Akanji, Gvardiol is breathing down his neck following a decent start to life at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City also did not spend £77.6m on the Croatian to have him warming the bench.
Therefore, Akanji’s place in the starting XI is certainly under threat.
