Manchester City round-up: Caballero on penalty save; Toure supports striker; Guardiola to reunite with ex-Barca defender

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Manchester City goalkeeper Willy Caballero has said that the fans at the Etihad Stadium played a massive role in his penalty save during his side’s thrilling 5-3 win against Monaco on Tuesday night.

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With Monaco 2-1 up, Caballero saved Radamel Falcao’s penalty and swung momentum back in favour of the home side; yet he has said the fans behind him were a massive help with their noise.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, the 35-year-old said:

“I had studied it [penalties] with our goalkeeper coach Xabi in preparation for the game but you always have to be cautious because it’s never a certainty.

“He couldn’t hear the whistle because the referee took the whistle two or three times, because the people were shouting. I took a good decision and he tried to score in that side and made a good save from the penalty.”

Caballero’s penalty save atoned for an earlier mistake that led to Monaco’s opener, gifting the ball to Radamel Falcao to begin the move that he eventually scored from.

The Argentinian has a track record of saves from the spot, as he fired City to victory in the League Cup final during a penalty shoot-out against Premier League rivals Liverpool last season.

Midfielder Yaya Toure has praised Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero after his match-winning double against Monaco earlier in the week, calling him “fantastic”.

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Speaking to the Manchester Evenings News, the Ivorian complimented the 28-year-old’s ability to come back from his time on the City bench and said he was impressed by his attitude.

Toure said:

“You saw Aguero coming back, tracking back, going forward and scoring important goals. He set up Sane for the fifth goal. Today we saw a real team. We were fighting, running everywhere. He is not young, but an experienced player, a fantastic player and you could see his desire.”

Aguero scored City’s second and third goals on Tuesday night – the second a sweetly-timed volley from a corner – as Guardiola’s side built a strong lead to take to Monaco next month.

In transfer news, Pep Guardiola is reportedly growing keen on a reunion with former Barcelona defender and current Juventus man Dani Alves according to the Daily Mail.

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The report alleges that the 33-year-old Brazilian has maintained a good relationship with the Manchester City boss after their time at the Nou Camp, and could be tempted to the Etihad.

The Mail believes that Alves still has a desire to play in the Premier League before he retires from football, and with City’s defence needing a re-shuffle over summer Alves could be the perfect short-term fit.

Alves will have a year left on his Juventus contract when the current season ends, and if the Manchester side can meet his wage demands, a move could be completed once the season ends.

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