The importance of an Algerian international has grown for Manchester City
· Yahoo Sports
Rayan Ait-Nouri took his time adjusting to life at Manchester City. Getting injured early in the season delayed Ait-Nouri’s start to his City career. The strong form of Nico O’Reilly at left-back and Ait-Nouri’s participation at AFCON further delayed his opportunity to make an impact for Pep Guardiola’s side. Since returning from AFCON, Ait-Nouri’s importance to this City team has grown. The Algerian international has had a sustained run of starts and we are beginning to see the best of Rayan Ait-Nouri as a City player. The attacking threat that Ait-Nouri provides City was on display in their 1-nil win over Leeds at Elland Road as he played an important role in Manchester City’s win.
Rayan Ait-Nouri was a key player for Manchester City in their win over Leeds.
Manchester City had several influential performers at Elland Road on Saturday. Rayan Ait-Nouri was one of those. His forward runs were a key component of City’s attacking play. Ait-Nouri provided the cross for Antoine Semenyo to tap in the winning goal against Leeds. It wasn’t the first attacking run from Ait-Nouri at Elland Road, but it was the most decisive action of the match as Ait-Nouri was found by Rayan Cherki, and Ait-Nouri put the ball on a platter for Antoine Semenyo.
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Outside of his assist, Ait-Nouri put in a very good all-around performance against Leeds. He got forward well and his dribbling ability plus his passing did allow City to control a large portion of the match at Elland Road. Defensively, Rayan Ait-Nouri was solid as he has been of late. The importance of Rayan Ait-Nouri to this Manchester City side has grown. He is now almost City’s first-choice left-back. Also, Rayan Ait-Nouri’s strong recent form has allowed Nico O’Reilly to move into midfield. Manchester City look stronger with O’Reilly in midfield and Rayan Ait-Nouri performing strongly at left-back.
Rayan Ait-Nouri has quickly adapted to the City way.
Speaking after his team’s win over Leeds, Rayan Ait-Nouri acknowledged that his team had to take it game by game across the back end of this season. Listening to Ait-Nouri speak, he has quickly embraced the Manchester City way. He explained after Manchester City’s win over Leeds: “We tried to follow the advice of the gaffer. To play in this team we play with a lot of confidence. We need to keep pushing like this until the end, but we’ll take it game by game.”
“We play with great players and to play in this way is very good for us, but we need to keep pushing and we focus on the next game which is Wednesday.”
Rayan Ait-Nouri has become an important player for Manchester City. His recent performances have been superb and he was once again superb against Leeds. You can see that Ait-Nouri has grown into his role at City, and listening to him speak he has also embraced the City way. That is a great sign and across the back end of this season Ait-Nouri’s ability to get forward and defend resolutely will be key in City’s bid for silverware this season.