Pep Guardiola has praised Stefan Ortega ahead of the goalkeeper potentially starting for Manchester City tonight.
Whilst Arsenal are focusing on their Premier League clash with Everton this week, City are looking at the FA Cup.
Guardiola’s men will be travelling to Ashton Gate to take on Championship side Bristol City tonight.
City will of course be heavy favourites but Guardiola will surely rotate his team.
The likes of Sergio Gomez, Kalvin Phillips, Cole Palmer and maybe even new signing Maximo Perrone could feature.
Then there is goalkeeper Ortega, who is primed to start ahead of first-choice stopper Ederson.
PEP GUARDIOLA HAILS MANCHESTER CITY STOPPER STEFAN ORTEGA
Ortega joined City on a free transfer from Arminia Bielefeld last summer.
The German stopper had impressed in two spells at Bielefeld as well as with 1860 Munich.
Whilst Ortega was one of the Bundesliga’s top goalkeepers last season, he decided to trade in a regular starting role for becoming second-choice at City.
Ortega is yet to start a Premier League game for City with Ederson the undoubted first-choice stopper at the Etihad Stadium.
Still, Ortega has managed seven appearances in other competition and will now make it eight tonight.
Guardiola has already told City’s official website that Ortega will start against Bristol City tonight.
Guardiola added that he thinks Ortega is truly ‘exceptional’ and is actually pushing Ederson very hard for the number one jersey at City.
The City boss heaped praise on Ortega for his Champions League performances and is looking for more of the same tonight.
“Yes [he’ll play]. [He’s pushing Ederson] a lot. A lot,” said Guardiola. “The way he’s played in Carabao Cup and FA Cup so far. Even in the Champions League when he played against Dortmund. We were qualified but fighting for the first position. He’s an exceptional goalkeeper. Exceptional,” he added.
Ortega is unlikely to ever really displace Ederson as first-choice goalkeeper at City but having a quality backup is vital.
The 30-year-old is serving that role well and City will feel they secured a real bargain in Ortega last summer.
source: www.hitc.com
