Fernandinho played only his second game of the season for Manchester City against Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday night. As expected, manager Pep Guardiola selected him as a makeshift centre-back as the Citizens sought to find a solution for their defensive crisis.
The Brazilian did pretty well, all things being considered, as he helped his side keep a clean sheet in a 3-0 win. Some fans on Twitter believe the 34-year-old was excellent:
Already mastered it. Best in the business..
— J.S (@MCFCBaller) 19 September 2019
Baller, Dinho???
— tpraise ajibola (@ajibola_tpraise) 19 September 2019
Nailed it….
— Daz.F (@DazFerry) 19 September 2019
Pep fixed our woes ?
— E (@cozyboyec3) 19 September 2019
Better than otamendi and stones put together
— Ultimate Kombo ?? (@ultimate_kombo) 19 September 2019
Better than some of our normal CBs
— Kody Powell (@KxD0307) 19 September 2019
While others believe he has yet to be put under any real pressure:
Not been tested enough yet
— Tom Worthy (@thomasworthingt) 19 September 2019
Too small
— Elliot (@Ell_1894) 19 September 2019
too early to tell imo, though he looked good
— tom butler (@tombutler937) 19 September 2019
Ok against the likes of Donetsk & Watford. Not the answer against Liverpool
— Si01350 (@Si01350) 19 September 2019
City face Watford tomorrow and you wouldn’t expect Fernandinho to be tested too much, especially at the Etihad Stadium. Guardiola’s side don’t actually play a “big six” team again until mid-November when they face Liverpool so while John Stones’ injury isn’t ideal, it could be argued that it has come at a time when they can afford to have him missing.
Whether his replacement is up to the task even against less challenging opposition, though, it remains to be seen.
