Mateo Kovacic Shines as Pep Guardiola Praises His "Copy and Paste" Rodri Performance
In a thrilling 3-2 victory for Manchester City over Fulham, Pep Guardiola had high praise for Mateo Kovacic, who delivered a standout performance. With City's star defensive midfielder Rodri sidelined due to injury, Guardiola jokingly referred to Kovacic's performance as a "copy and paste" job of Rodri's usual duties. The comparison highlighted how effectively Kovacic has stepped into the crucial midfield role, contributing significantly to City's victory.
Kovacic, known more for his playmaking skills than his goal-scoring abilities, found the back of the net twice, helping end City's brief winless streak in the Premier League. His first goal came from a deflected shot after a half-cleared corner, while his second was a clean strike from the edge of the box. Guardiola noted that Fulham's defensive setup left Kovacic unmarked on the edge of the box, which allowed him to capitalize on the opportunity.
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This performance is particularly noteworthy as it marked Kovacic's best goal-scoring season since his days at Inter Milan in 2014-15. Typically, Kovacic has not been relied upon for goals at his previous clubs—Dinamo Zagreb, Real Madrid, Chelsea, or even City—but Guardiola recognized the midfielder’s ability to adapt and contribute in Rodri's absence. "He is not a top goalscorer, but maybe he saw how many goals Rodri has scored and did a copy and paste," Guardiola remarked after the match.
Beyond his goals, Kovacic's presence in midfield was crucial in maintaining City's possession-based style. Although primarily a defensive midfielder, Kovacic ranked second in successful passes into the opposition half and final third this season, just behind his teammate Manuel Akanji. This stat emphasizes his role in keeping City's play flowing forward, despite typically being stationed deeper in the midfield.
While Kovacic's contribution in attack was a pleasant surprise, City's defense had moments of concern. Adama Traoré of Fulham caused several problems, with City’s defense struggling to contain the pacey winger. Guardiola, however, refused to criticize his defenders, instead acknowledging Traoré’s unstoppable speed and physicality.
The victory not only kept City's unbeaten streak alive but also underscored how critical players like Kovacic are in maintaining the team's high standards, especially when key players like Rodri are unavailable. With Kovacic stepping up in both attack and defense, Guardiola has more options to rotate and adapt as City continues its Premier League campaign.
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