Esteemed Kompany
·30 January 2025
Esteemed Kompany
·30 January 2025
The performance of Manchester City against Club Brugge last night was definitely a tale of two halves. That’s an old cliche but it rang true last night. Pep Guardiola’s side were not at their best last in the first half against Club Brugge. They came to life in the second half to avoid an embarrassing early exit from the Champions League as they picked a 3-1 win to progress in the competition. There weren’t many City players who were at their best for the full 90 minutes last night at the Etihad. But one player who was was John Stones.
The performance from Stones was exactly what his team needed last night and it highlighted exactly what they have missed this season as he has battled injury for large portions of the 24/25 season. Stones provided a sense of calm to Pep Guardiola’s side in the first half. He was easily City’s best player in the first half. He was good in possession and his ability to drift forward and into midfield did help Manchester City control possession in the game’s opening 45 minutes. Although it has to be said that City didn’t carry much of an attacking threat in the first of yesterday’s match.
John Stones got better in the second half of last night’s match. He picked up two assists, although his one for Mateo Kovacic’s goal doesn’t tell the tale of the goal. However, Stones’ second assist for Savinho’s goal showed everything that Manchester City have missed in Stones absence. It was a sublime ball from Stones over the top of the Club Brugge defence. Whether it was in possession or defensively Stones put in a performance that was reminiscent of the ones he put in during City’s treble winning season of 22/23.
For me, John Stones was Manchester City’s man-of-the-match last night at the Etihad. It is now hoped that he can stay fit for the remainder of this season. Manchester City are a better team when Stones is fit and at his best. His display at Club Brugge was a timely reminder of this fact. His performance was critical in his team’s win and it showed that when John Stones is fully fit and in form he is one of Pep Guardiola’s side’s most important players.