Julián Álvarez is having one of his worst moments since arriving in England due to his low participation in recent games
Manchester City returned to the Champions League with a draw in Germany against Leipzig, leaving everything open for the second leg of the round of 16 to be played on March 14. The game, marked by Gvardiol’s possible foul on Rúben Dias at 1–1 and Haaland’s low participation in the game, left an unusual note since the five changes were made. Guardiola, true to the 3-4-2-1 he has been using in recent days, made no substitutions and kept the eleven men he started with for the 90 minutes.
Again Julián Álvarez was relegated to the background. A common practice lately. In the previous league game against Nottingham Forest, the Argentinian entered the field in the 88th minute and days before, in the crucial game against Arsenal at the Emirates where the Premier’s lead was at stake, he was not short of it either.
In the summer, the ‘citizen’ team bet on him after he shone at River Plate and established himself as one of the hottest talents on the football scene. “I’ve seen it on TV, but I’m surprised how good it is. We’re all impressed with his work ethic, his way of playing as a striker… He always gives his all. If Haaland doesn’t play, Julián will. Sure, “Guardiola sentenced at the start of the season.
For the World Cup in Qatar, the Argentine striker added 889 minutes and nine goals in 20 games. The factory appointment was an opportunity to claim a guaranteed alternative to Haaland. And Julian proved it. La Araña, who shared the attacking front with Messi and scored four goals, was a key player for Argentina to sew their third star to their chest.
However, his good performances with the Albiceleste did not help him to establish himself in the team. Haaland’s shadow remains long. The Norwegian striker, who has scored 32 goals in 32 dates, has closed the doors of the eleven, although he is experiencing one of his worst moments. The former Borussia Dortmund player has scored just once in his last six games, a number of unusual records.
With a schedule full of matches and with the ‘sky blues’ immersed in the FA CUP, the battle with Arsenal and United for the throne of England and the dream of lifting the European Cup for the first time in its history, the contribution of the champion of the world seems essential to fight for all titles. Everything will depend on him. And from Guardiola.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
