Pep Guardiola hails ‘incredibly dangerous’ Phil Foden as young midfielder scores and provides an assist in rare start for Manchester City
- Manchester City made light work of Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday evening
- Gabriel Jesus scored a hat-trick while Phil Foden also netted in Croatia
- After the win, Pep Guardiola called Foden an ‘incredibly dangerous’ player
Pep Guardiola hailed the performance of Phil Foden after Manchester City eased to a comfortable 4-1 victory over Dinamo Zagreb.
Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus netted a hat-trick but Foden also starred and got on the scoresheet as City wrapped up their Champions League Group C programme in style on a freezing night at the Maksimir Stadium in Croatia.
Foden, who also claimed an assist, made the most of a rare start in the absence of David Silva.
Phil Foden celebrates with his Manchester City team-mates after scoring their fourth goal
Foden’s goal capped an impressive performance against Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday night
Guardiola said: ‘He was so good. I think he’s a player when he is close to the box, who is more dangerous than away from the box.
‘He still has to learn a bit away from the box, for the tempo and speed, but when he played close to the box he can attack central defenders and he’s incredibly dangerous. He played really, well.
‘England have an incredible generation of young players. For the next decade England has incredible players and it’s good for the country.’
Pep Guardiola described the young midfielder as an ‘incredibly dangerous’ player
Jesus’ hat-trick means he has now scored five goals in three games as he continues to deputise for the injured Sergio Aguero.
Guardiola said: ‘We are incredibly delighted with Gabby. A striker needs goals and he scored three. Hopefully it can help his mood to be incredibly positive.
‘Gabriel is an incredible fighter, how he helps us to defend and does absolutely everything, but a striker needs goals and that is important for him, for the team, for everything.’
City were hit by a stunning early goal from Dani Olmo and their equaliser was controversial as two players went down injured in the build-up.
Guardiola said: ‘I think Riyad (Mahrez) didn’t see the player on the grass and I think the referee took the decisions he should take.’
Guardiola did not complain after Rodri was elbowed in the face by Amer Gojak.
He said: ‘It was contact with the opponent but he is strong.’
Foden did well to get to the ball first before directing an effort through a crowd of players
However, after Gojak went unpunished by referee and VAR, Guardiola did hint that he was unhappy with the role of the video official.
He said: ‘On VAR I was a big fan and I will try to continue to be a big fan in the future.’
City, who had already qualified for the last 16, finish the group unbeaten with 14 points.
Guardiola said: ‘We didn’t play for points, we played for ourselves. It was important to finish in that way, and with no injuries or yellow cards.
‘We will now focus on the Premier League and other competitions and see in what condition we are when we arrive in February.’
Gabriel Jesus also starred in City’s win with the Brazilian striker scoring a superb hat-trick
Dinamo had gone into the game with hopes of making the last 16. Had they held onto their lead they would have gone through but the defeat instead condemned them to bottom spot and also denied them a Europa League place.
Coach Nenad Bjelica was unhappy with City’s equaliser but did not blame the visitors.
Asked if play should have been stopped, he said: ‘I see it the same way, but we maybe should have reacted in that situation better because three opponents were on one of ours. I don’t think the opponent did that on purpose.
‘We are sad our European campaign is at an end but I am proud and happy for everything we showed in these six matches.’