Rayan Ait-Nouri turned a lot of heads with his performance in Manchester City’s Club World Cup win over Juventus and one stat makes it even better.
Manchester City will face Joao Cancelo’s Al-Hilal in the Club World Cup round of 16 after securing top spot in Group G with a resounding 5-2 victory over Juventus.
Jeremy Doku earned the ‘Superior Player of the Match’ award for his fine display and opening strike, with Erling Haaland, Savinho and Phil Foden also getting among the goals.
Doku was a shot of adrenaline in a sleepy match as both sets of players struggled in the oppressive Floridian heat, but it was his blossoming partnership with Rayan Ait-Nouri that really excited fans.
City’s new left-back dazzled down the flank and his link-up play with Doku, setting up his goal, certainly bodes well for City ahead of the new season.
Doku believes he already has a strong connection with Ait-Nouri and the Algerian also impressed by not misplacing a single pass in the match.
Rayan Ait-Nouri slides in on Jeremy Doku during Man City vs Wolves.
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
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Rayan Ait-Nouri doesn’t misplace a pass in Man City vs Juventus
Anyone who tuned in for the game might have been impressed by City’s clinical performance, even if it was a game lacking in much intensity.
Ait-Nouri would have impressed any viewer with his contrastingly energetic display and composure in possession.
The stats back up the eye test, too, with Ait-Nouri finishing his performance with 53 passes out of 53 completed. A 100% success rate.
Even in a game that was one level above a friendly, that is very impressive and will have his new City teammate Josko Gvardiol delighted.
Josko Gvardiol will be delighted with Rayan Ait-Nouri’s form
Though City splashed the cash to sign Gvardiol when they needed a centre-back, the Croatian has spent the vast majority of his first two seasons as a left-back.
While he has done extremely well out on the wing, it’s clear it’s not his best position and he can’t offer the genuine pace and wide-attacking instincts that Ait-Nouri is now providing.
But with the former Wolves man signed and already performing, that will surely allow Gvardiol to move back into a central position on a full-time basis.
Speaking to City’s official site last week, Gvardiol admitted that playing in the middle is his preference, so he will be delighted that Ait-Nouri has hit the ground running.
“It’s quite difficult to talk about my position,” he said. “In general, I like to play more central.
“But even if I play outside, it’s something that I can do as well.
“Everyone knows what kind of person I am, I give my best no matter what position I play.”