Three Different Goalkeepers in Manchester City vs Atalanta Match

DBasia.news –  Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola plays three different goalkeepers in the Champions League match against Atalanta.

The match ended 1-1 through Raheem Sterling (7′) scored by Mario Pasalic (49′). The goal from Sterling ensured the former Liverpool player was involved in seven goals in four Champions League matches this season (five goals and two assists). 

But it wasn’t Sterling’s goal that stole the attention at the San Siro, but the fact Guardiola played three different goalkeepers in the match. The public might wonder “How can Guardiola play three goalkeepers in one match?”

Substitution of only three players and logically, meaning Guardiola spent it to play the goalkeeper? Not so. Man City’s main goalkeeper who played early in the game was Ederson Moraes, the Brazilian goalkeeper.

But in the second half, Ederson was replaced by Claudio Bravo because of an injury. Bad for Man City, Bravo received a red card in the 81st minute when he fouled Josip Ilicic outside the penalty box.

Having no other goalkeeper options, Guardiola made Man City right-back, Kyle Walker, an impromptu goalkeeper. The results were quite positive, Walker made a rescue from Hans Hateboer’s effort through a free-kick.

Thanks to the rescue by Walker, Man City were able to win a point from their trip to Italy. One point increases Man City’s points to 10 points.

The Citizens – nicknamed Man City – have yet to secure a place in the last 16 of the Champions League. Under them are Shakhtar Donetsk (five points), Dinamo Zagreb (five points), Atalanta (one point).

In one match Walker’s record was better than Ederson (without rescue, conceding, and receiving kicks on target) and Bravo (conceding one goal, without saving, and once receiving kicking on target). Walker made a rescue, without conceding, and received a shot on target.

Guardiola congratulated Walker for being able to help his team win a point in Italy. In addition, he said the reason for appointing Walker as a goalkeeper among other players.

“We did not know beforehand (who was City’s impromptu goalkeeper), but Xavi Mancisidor, our goalkeeping coach, suggested him (Walker) because of his courage and also because he was fast,” said Guardiola in the Manchester Evening News.

“We were lucky to only suffer one shot on target when he was a goalkeeper, but survived for his courage and passion to help the team in that position.”