Sky Sports pundit shocked by ‘unbelievable’ Stefan Ortega at Man City
Stefan Ortega was hailed by Kris Boyd following an excellent double-save for Man City in the early stages of their clash with Aston Villa.
After dropping to the bench for the last two games, the 32-year-old was restored to the starting lineup at Villa Park on Saturday (21 December).
That comes amid growing debate about whether he could replace long-term first-choice Ederson as number one at the Etihad.
It didn’t take him long to show his importance to Man City in this game, keeping out Jhon Duran when one on one after John McGinn had robbed Josko Gvardiol and played in the Colombian.
From the resulting corner Ortega then produced another excellent save to keep out a Pau Torres header that was just inches from crossing the line inside the opening two minutes, which left Boyd hugely impressed.
Speaking about that double save on Sky Sports, the former Rangers striker said (12:32pm): “Aston Villa should be 1-0 up… what a save it is. Ortega has had two unbelievable saves. The first one’s got to be a goal though from Duran.
“He decides to hit it early. It’s a mistake from Gvardiol, McGinn robs the ball off him. He takes it on his chest, trying to play out, McGinn gets in and nicks it off him, Duran’s through one on one.
“He tries to roll it, I think he should go round Ortega because he’s already down, but he makes a good save.
“From the resulting corner McGinn fires a ball in and Pau Torres gets a header. It’s another unbelievable save from Ortega, just tipped it over for another corner, but it’s all Aston Villa.”
Stefan Ortega making a strong case to usurp Ederson at Man City
Football Insider Opinion
With moments like this it is seemingly becoming harder for Pep Guardiola to make a choice about who is his first choice goalkeeper.
This is not the first time recently that Ortega has impressed despite the poor recent run that Man City have been on.
If he does keep coming up with those sort of quality saves, it could be hard for Guardiola not to pick him.
Were that to be the case it would represent a remarkable turnaround considering how consistent and reliable Ederson has been in that role for so many years.
That those changes are coming about now may though be a reflection of the unprecedented situation Man City now find themselves in.
For Ortega though, this is an opportunity that he can only aim to keep taking with saves such as these in order to try and secure the number one spot for himself.
Problems appear to be continuing for Guardiola and City as Duran did then put Unai Emery’s side ahead at the break.
In other news, an update on a move to Man City for Jarrad Branthwaite has been issued.
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