In the 16th round of the English Premier League, Manchester City secured a commanding 3-0 victory against Crystal Palace away from home. Among the standout performances for the “Citizens” was Mateus Nunes, whose contributions, including an assist, caught significant attention. The Portuguese player received notable praise from head coach Pep Guardiola.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Guardiola highly evaluated Nunes’ development within the team. According to him, Mateus has been working diligently on his role and is evolving into a new position — as a right wing-back.
"Mateus Nunes is developing; he has become an excellent wing-back. He is an exceptionally high-quality player. His assist to Haaland was fantastic," Guardiola stated.
The coach further emphasized that, despite being a central midfielder by trade, Nunes’ technical abilities and sense of the game allow him to execute such precise and impactful passes effortlessly. Additionally, he is utilizing his speed effectively on the wing and providing substantial support to Ruben Dias in defense.
Guardiola also highlighted Nunes’ versatility. According to the Spanish coach, Mateus is one of the rare players capable of playing in multiple positions, making him highly valuable to the team. "He possesses unique speed. We didn't have a player with such quickness before, and even now, they are rare," he added.
It is known that after Uzbekistan national team member Abduqodir Husanov sustained an injury, Nunes began playing in the right wing-back position where Husanov had been active. In a short period, he has established himself as a key player in the starting lineup, while Husanov has remained on the bench for the past few matches.
Thus, by excelling in his new role at Manchester City, Mateus Nunes has proven himself to be among the players earning Guardiola's full confidence.
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