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Pep Guardiola thanked Ferran Torres for his replacement as a forward against Marseille despite not being his natural position.
Raheem Sterling was expected to take center stage with Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Agüero injured. However, the coach had stressed after the West Ham draw that the No. 9 position was not ideal for Sterling either and in Marseille he opted for the 20-year-old Spaniard to lead the line.
Torres had scored off the bench in last week’s win over Porto after trading passes with Phil Foden, but he was an unused substitute at the London Stadium. After watching him score the first goal in a 3-0 Champions League win, Guardiola is still not convinced that it is the best position to use Torres, but congratulated him on his effort.
“Ferran has adapted really well. He is not a forward, I would congratulate him and appreciate the effort of playing in this position. He scored a goal, ”he said.
“It’s not easy as a forward to play 4-5-1 because there are a lot of players there and there is no space around, so honestly it is not easy. But we don’t have many options. Until Gabriel and Sergio come back, we don’t have many, so we have an alternative playing Ferran in this position. “
With Torres in the middle, left-hander Phil Foden played on left and right-hander Sterling on right, meaning City had more room than usual.
That also seemed to help the offense against Marseille, although Guardiola did not want to suggest that this would be a key point in their success against a deep defense with five at the back.
“It’s good to say, but for the third goal, Riyad played with his left foot to the right and his inward movement created space for Kevin, so everyone can play anywhere,” he said.
“Of course, on your foot you are going to attack more on the baseline and perhaps in some moments you make the space higher and wider but you can play both so that it is not a problem. Today we decide for many reasons but I give an example of Riyad on the right giving a good assist. Both can do it. “
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