Pep Guardiola: Man City boss says Rico Lewis is one of the best players he's ever coached - ''What a player!'
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ByEurosport
Published 05/10/2023 at 07:43 GMT
Rico Lewis was a standout performer in Manchester City's win over RB Leipzig on Wednesday evening, getting an assist for Phil Foden's opening goal in the first half. Lewis, who started the game in midfield, was a constant threat to the Bundesliga side with his driving runs as well as his tendency to break up play. And now Pep Guardiola has said Lewis is one of the best players he has ever coached.
Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, celebrates with Rico Lewis after the team's victory in the UEFA Champions League match between RB Leipzig and Manchester City
Image credit: Getty Images
Pep Guardiola says Rico Lewis is one of the best players he has ever coached.
The 18-year-old put in an impressive display as a midfielder in Man City's 3-1 win against RB Leipzig on Wednesday night, grabbing an assist for Phil Foden's opening goal.
Lewis made his Premier League debut at the start of last season and has been used regularly by Guardiola since.
Guardiola, who has previously coached the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta in his decorated managerial career, says Lewis is up there with the best he has trained.
“What a player! What a player!" Guardiola said after the game.
“I’ve been a manager for 14, 15, years and lucky to train one of the best players in the world in Barcelona.
“To find a player like him playing in the pockets, how he has to move as a holding midfielder, moving in the spaces, he is one of the best I’ve ever trained by far.
“He’s a humble guy, doesn’t talk much. He didn’t play much this season but he is going to play a lot.”
City had to work hard for their win as Foden's 25th-minute opener was cancelled out by Lois Openda after the break.
Erling Haaland missed some good goalscoring opportunities and Foden struck the bar, before Julian Alvarez scored the decisive goal in the 84th minute and Jeremy Doku wrapped up the victory in added time.
Guardiola was pleased his side were able to win after back-to-back defeats to Newcastle in the EFL Cup and Wolves in the Premier League last Saturday.
He said: "Three or four days ago it was no progress because we lost in Wolves. It was important to break that.
"We played a fantastic game in all departments. We conceded two or three transitions in the second half but it's normal. When a team is able to make a lot of passes early on, very nice things are going to happen in the game.
"The guys who came from the bench, the contribution they have done is the key point. Everyone helped each other. I am really satisfied. It was a tough game."
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