Brought on at half-time with Manchester City 0-3 down to Paris Saint-Germain, 18-year-old Moroccan Ayyoub Bouaddi transformed the Citizens’ game in a 2-4 home defeat.
On Wednesday evening, in the Champions League, Manchester City hosted Paris Saint-Germain in a European heavyweight clash. After total PSG dominance, the Citizens were 0-3 down at half-time. Enzo Maresca then sent on Ayyoub Bouaddi at the break to restructure his midfield. The match ended in a 2-4 defeat, according to Afrik-Foot.
The 18-year-old midfielder lit up the second half. According to Afrik-Foot, his introduction transformed City’s play and possession after the break, just days before another Premier League fixture.
The dressing room praises his performance
The final score does not tell the whole story of Manchester City’s evening. According to Afrik-Foot, striker Erling Haaland named Bouaddi as his man of the match in the dressing room. On Canal+’s panel, pundit and former player Sidney Govou described his performance as phenomenal, calling it “énormissime” (Afrik-Foot).
This praise does not come out of nowhere. A former LOSC Lille player, Bouaddi had already stolen the show on the opening matchday of the competition against FC Porto, which Manchester City won 2-0 (Le360 Sport).
Calmness, maturity and technical precision
Specialist media highlight the same qualities: his calmness, his precocious tactical maturity and his technical precision in tight spaces (Le360 Sport). These are assets that were visible in a difficult context, since manager Enzo Maresca brought him on when City were 0-3 down.
It remains to be seen what role he will now occupy. According to Afrik-Foot, Bouaddi is pushing hard for an undisputed starting place in Manchester City’s midfield.
A start expected this weekend
The next fixture comes as early as this weekend, for matchday 8 of the Premier League: a start for Bouaddi is expected with City, although it has not been confirmed at this stage. The European calendar will then offer a new test, with the next Champions League matchday scheduled for late October.