In the first leg of the English League Cup semi-final, Manchester City defeated Newcastle 2-0 away from home, creating a much better result for themselves ahead of the second leg. Strong pressure, noisy stands, and a physically strong opponent - everything was there. However, even under these circumstances, the "citizens" performed their duties with composure.
Following the match, City defender Max Allen commented on his partnership with Abdukodir Khsanov at the center. From his words, it is clear that understanding and communication are rapidly developing between the two defenders.
"I am very proud of the team. We've already established a good relationship with Khusanov; it's very enjoyable to play with him. I'm looking forward to playing together a lot in the future," Allen said.
Alleyn emphasized that this away victory wasn't easy for anyone. He especially emphasized the psychological aspect: full concentration on the field, focusing solely on football, and pushing aside various distractions - this was decisive.
"It wasn't easy. In my opinion, the most important thing is to fully focus on football and push aside other distractions. Newcastle is a physically strong and tough team. The stadium is very noisy, it's not easy to get here. But I really enjoyed the game," he added.
Of course, these words were not taken from thin air. Because in this match, Uzbek defender Abdukodir Khusanov played in the main squad and played the full 90 minutes. His reliable performance was rated by Sofascore at 8.1 points, and our compatriot was named the best player of the match.
In short, the new pair in City's defense is gradually turning into an "iron wall." The fans are now waiting for one thing: this same confidence, this same character, this same stability to continue in the second leg.
Read “Zamin” on Telegram!
