‘Mateo Kovacic to be sold’- Man City fans rage after Real Madrid defeat
Man City fans have taken to social media to react to Mateo Kovacic’s performance against Real Madrid.
Man City were beaten after a last-gasp winner from Jude Bellingham, with Real Madrid securing a 3-2 victory.
Kovacic came on for Nathan Ake in the 61st minute, but his performance was one to forget. A poorly timed pass allowed Vinicius Jr to intercept and assist the winning goal.
Kovacic has faced criticism from pundits earlier this season, and his cameo against Madrid has done little to win over City fans.
Man City could face early Champions League elimination after Real Madrid loss
There have been early suggestions that Man City could already be on the verge of elimination from the Champions League following their recent performance.
This match marked the first leg of the inaugural play-off fixtures to decide who advances to the Round of 16, as both teams finished outside the top eight standings. Despite a brace from Erling Haaland, Pep Guardiola’s side crumbled in the final minutes, conceding two goals within just six minutes.
The bad news didn’t stop there, as Jack Grealish also picked up an injury during the match. Although Grealish has sent a message to Man City fans, there’s still no official update on the extent of his injury.
With a challenging second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu ahead, Guardiola’s side now faces the difficult task of overturning a deficit. After Mateo Kovacic’s underwhelming performance in the first leg, it’s uncertain whether he will be trusted to feature in the crucial upcoming match.
Man City fans frustrated after Mateo Kovacic display
Kovacic has been a regular pick for Guardiola, often selected in the midfield, even though his performances haven’t always lived up to expectations.
The Croatian international has played 28 matches across all competitions this season, with 18 Premier League starts. He’s contributed five goals and one assist, but his defensive performances have often been questioned. With Rodri’s injury back in September, the Spanish coach has relied on Kovacic to fill in as a defensive midfielder.
However, with the signing of midfielder Nico Gonzalez in the January transfer window, it’s becoming clear that Guardiola doesn’t see Kovacic as part of his long-term plans.
After his disappointing cameo in the Champions League, many fans are calling the former Chelsea midfielder out with one fan saying he “needs to be sold” and another supporter commenting that he is “not City standard.”