{"id":6808,"date":"2024-10-03T02:11:08","date_gmt":"2024-10-03T02:11:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.drinkfood.info\/?p=6808"},"modified":"2024-10-03T02:11:08","modified_gmt":"2024-10-03T02:11:08","slug":"one-of-the-most-intelligent-footballers-rio-ferdinand-and-joleon-lescott-declare-gundogan-is-rodri-replacement-for-man-city-after-4-0-win-over-slovan-bratislava","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.drinkfood.info\/?p=6808","title":{"rendered":"\u2018One of the most intelligent footballers\u2019 \u2013 Rio Ferdinand and Joleon Lescott declare Gundogan is Rodri replacement for Man City after 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Manchester City beat Slovan Bratislava 4-0 in the Champions League last night.<\/p>\n<p>City cruised to victory in Slovakia, and it was one of the easiest games Pep Guardiola\u2018s side will play all season.<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-7\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-5\">\n<div id=\"div-ub-yega.online_1701430653452\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy loaded\" src=\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/GY0959GW0AAe6Fc?format=jpg&amp;name=large\" alt=\"H\u00ecnh \u1ea3nh\" data-src=\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/GY0959GW0AAe6Fc?format=jpg&amp;name=large\" data-was-processed=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<p>City completely dominated from start to finish, with Slovan rarely getting out of their own half.<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-7\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-3 ai-track\" data-ai=\"WzMsMCwiQWRzZW5zZSBJbnJlYWQiLCIiLDJd\"><\/div>\n<p>There was simply a huge gulf in class between the two sides, and City could easily have scored about eight or nine had some players been a bit more clinical.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy loaded\" src=\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/GY09TgoW0AIRXd5?format=jpg&amp;name=large\" alt=\"H\u00ecnh \u1ea3nh\" data-src=\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/GY09TgoW0AIRXd5?format=jpg&amp;name=large\" data-was-processed=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-7\"><\/div>\n<p>Pep went with a midfield three of Ilkay Gundogan, Matheus Nunes and Phil Foden against Slovan, with Rico Lewis inverting to offer support.<\/p>\n<p>Gundogan was the deep-lying playmaker and after a bit of a sloppy start, the German really ran things \u2013 leading to high praise from TNT pundits Rio Ferdinand and Joleon Lescott.<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-7\"><\/div>\n<p>The big conundrum for Guardiola is how he will be able to cover the absence of the best holding midfielder in the world.<\/p>\n<p>Rodri has been integral for City over the last few years, and he just provides so much for the team, both defensively and offensively.<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-7\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy loaded\" src=\"https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/onefootball_articles_802\/64367892a93c57486c3474eea83a1650\" alt=\"\u0130lkay G\u00fcndo\u011fan nets first goal since Manchester City return \ud83d\udd19 - Yahoo  Sports\" data-src=\"https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/onefootball_articles_802\/64367892a93c57486c3474eea83a1650\" data-was-processed=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy loaded\" src=\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/GY1GyphW4AAmOmH?format=jpg&amp;name=4096x4096\" alt=\"H\u00ecnh \u1ea3nh\" data-src=\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/GY1GyphW4AAmOmH?format=jpg&amp;name=4096x4096\" data-was-processed=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<p>His injury is awful news. But Pep does have a few options to at least cover the Spaniard\u2019s absence until January.<\/p>\n<p>Several suggestions have been made, but Ferdinand and Lescott have both backed Gundogan \u2013 who is still finding his best level since returning in the eyes of Pep \u2013 to play in the Rodri role after his fine display against Slovan.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking on TNT Sports last night after the game, Lescott said: \u201cHe showed tonight, and I think he\u2019s capable.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor me, he has the ability to play in all those roles equally as well.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ferdinand added: \u201cI think he\u2019s one of the most intelligent footballers around. He can just adapt to any scenario in the team, any situation you put him in he just finds a way of making it look easy and seamless.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEven his goal today, that\u2019s a position probably where Rodri would pick up.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you want someone to come in and settle the ship and settle others around him, his experience\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy loaded\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/85573b94-e9cc-4dec-a37c-d6b97b6a5bb9.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=813\" alt=\"Man Utd legend Rio Ferdinand snaps at Laura Woods live on TNT Sports and says 'can we move on QUICKLY' | The Irish Sun\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/85573b94-e9cc-4dec-a37c-d6b97b6a5bb9.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=813\" data-was-processed=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<p>One of the reasons City brought Gundogan back in the summer was because of the fact he could play as a holding midfield and offer a bit of cover for Rodri.<\/p>\n<p>Due to Rodri\u2019s injury, Gundogan will likely be used more frequently than anticipated.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy error\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.goal.com\/images\/v3\/getty-2175320987\/crop\/MM5DENBRGY5DCMZVHE5G433XMU5DGNRWHIYTCNQ=\/GettyImages-2175320987.jpg\" alt=\"One of the worst games I've ever seen him play' \u2013 Pep Guardiola gives brutally honest verdict on Ilkay Gundogan's Newcastle display and praises Man City star's response against Slovan Bratislava |\" data-src=\"https:\/\/assets.goal.com\/images\/v3\/getty-2175320987\/crop\/MM5DENBRGY5DCMZVHE5G433XMU5DGNRWHIYTCNQ=\/GettyImages-2175320987.jpg\" data-was-processed=\"true\" \/><\/p>\n<p>He does, however, fit better at number six than in advanced midfield, most likely.<\/p>\n<p>Pep has a number of choices. He may include Mateo Kovacic, Rico Lewis, and John Stones in there as well.<\/p>\n<p>However, Gundogan did nothing to hurt his chances of starting in the Rodri role more frequently with his performance against Slovan.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Manchester City beat Slovan Bratislava 4-0 in the Champions League last night. City cruised to victory in Slovakia, and it was one of the easiest games Pep&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6810,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6808","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-football"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>\u2018One of the most intelligent footballers\u2019 \u2013 Rio Ferdinand and Joleon Lescott declare Gundogan is Rodri replacement for Man City after 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava - Sport News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportnews.drinkfood.info\/?p=6808\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"\u2018One of the most intelligent footballers\u2019 \u2013 Rio Ferdinand and Joleon Lescott declare Gundogan is Rodri replacement for Man City after 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava - Sport News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Manchester City beat Slovan Bratislava 4-0 in the Champions League last night. 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