Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola might have already made a pivotal decision regarding his team selection for the FA Cup semifinal against Nottingham Forest scheduled next month.
Nico O’Reilly, a promising 20-year-old who typically finds himself on the periphery of City’s first team, made a significant impact as a second-half substitute during the quarterfinals against Bournemouth on Sunday. His performance may have secured him a starting spot at Wembley Stadium. Despite playing out of position in the left-back role, O’Reilly was instrumental, assisting both of the team’s goals in a remarkable comeback victory at Vitality Stadium. This followed his two-goal performance in the round of 16 against Plymouth, propelling the team to a 3-1 win over their second-tier opposition.
“Two goals, two assists — that’s why he’s going to play against Nottingham,” Guardiola said, sharing a moment with O’Reilly on the pitch after the match, smiling as he spoke. While it remains uncertain whether Guardiola will indeed start O’Reilly against Forest, the manager is clearly considering it.
The Spanish coach also took a moment to applaud his more seasoned players, highlighting the efforts of midfielders Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic, and Ilkay Gundogan. Despite being in their 30s and possibly nearing the ends of their careers at City, they demonstrated their value with confident second-half performances that steered the team to victory.
“It was the senior players, the legendary players that give the most incredible things in the club who made a step up again,” emphasized Guardiola. “I need these types of players against a team I thought we need a lot of ball (against).”
Manchester City will prepare for their seventh consecutive appearance in the semifinals, which are scheduled for the weekend of April 26-27. As the anticipation builds, Guardiola’s decisions could prove crucial in maintaining their competitive edge in the tournament.