O’Reilly has given us stability, says Guardiola | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola says Nico O’Reilly is a big part of City’s recent improved form.

The 20-year-old Academy graduate has played in each of our last six matches, a run that started with a starring substitute’s performance in the FA Cup quarter-final success at Bournemouth.

That victory saw us seal a record-extending seventh successive semi-final, in which we will face Nottingham Forest at Wembley this Sunday.

FA Cup semi-final match preview

Despite coming through our youth ranks as an attacking midfielder, O’Reilly has established himself at left-back in Guardiola’s side.

Ahead of our latest challenge, the boss was full of praise for the youngster’s impact.

“Physicality,” he said when asked what O’Reilly has brought to the team.

“His presence, he's an attacking midfielder, his composure with the ball. We were surprised how attentive he is defensively, he has pace.

“His generosity to play in a position he’s not used to. Now in the back four we are stable, we have pace with Josko [Gvardiol], Matheus [Nunes] and Nico and unbelievable leadership from Ruben [Dias].”

WATCH: EMBARGO | Pep Guardiola v Forest | FA Cup

O’Reilly has been just as important in attacking areas as he has been astute defensively.

He’s now netted five goals, including the late deadlock breaker at Everton last weekend when he got on the end of Matheus Nunes’ cross to turn home from inside the six-yard box.

Guardiola was delighted to see O’Reilly in that position and highlighted how O’Reilly helps his team build from the back.

“It’s a movement for a striker. I'd love them to do that movement. Always I said the players who score the goals, finishes in front of the keeper and he did it.

“He’s an attacking midfielder, so when the cross goes in the moment is there and he adapted the position.

WATCH: FA Cup extended highlights: Bournemouth 1-2 City

“He has played attacking midfielder and can move like Fabian Delph, Oleks [Zinchenko], Joao [Cancelo], it helps us a lot.

“Nico can play inside and outside, when he arrives outside he can put a cross in which will be available or go in the box.

“You have to do it, win the duels and move there, when the players do it you have more chance.”

Nottingham Forest v City app coverage

Our official Man City app allows you to follow all of the action from Wembley in one place.

Minute-by-minute text updates will begin in our Matchday Centre two hours before kick-off, while our Matchday Live show will begin at around 15:15 (UK).

Andy Morrison and Nicky Weaver will be the guests on the latest Matchday Live show, offering their expert insight before, during and after the action.

During the game, you can also listen to live audio commentary from Alistair Mann and Michael Brown (via CITY+), while our text commentary continues.

Make sure to have push notifications turned on as well, so you can be alerted to key moments in the action, including goals, red cards and the team news.

You can access a CITY+ full-match replay from midnight after the game while a shortened and extended highlights package can be accessed from 12:00 (UK) on Monday.