Nico O’Reilly is Salah’s nightmare at the Etihad

11/11/2025 08:11:00 soccer

If there is any moment that clearly shows why Pep Guardiola trusts a 20-year-old player in the big match against Liverpool, it is precisely how Nico O'Reilly kept Mohamed Salah tightly marked for 83 minutes at the Etihad.

Against the fourth highest scorer in Premier League history, O'Reilly not only stood firm but also made the Egyptian star almost completely powerless. This was the first time since July 2020 that Salah failed to score or assist against Man City in the Premier League. Previously, he had faced defenders like Joao Cancelo, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Nathan Ake, or Gvardiol, but none had immobilized Salah like O'Reilly.

Salah is still a genius, but facing O'Reilly, every dribble, ball control, or burst of speed was neutralized. O'Reilly always positioned himself correctly, read situations quickly, kept his eyes on the ball, and took away every smallest opportunity. Pep Guardiola could not hide his satisfaction after the match: "Salah is a nightmare for all defenders. He is at the highest level. But I told Nico to play very aggressively, always supported by the center backs and players around him like Doku, Bernardo, and Foden. And he managed to do that, against one of the best wingers in the world."

In the summer, few believed O'Reilly would find a place at Man City. He was not originally a natural left-back but an attacking midfielder who played as number 8 and 10 in the academy. However, when the squad faced an injury crisis early in the season, Guardiola had to experiment, resulting in an astonishing tactical discovery.

O’Reilly completely "switched off" Salah at the Etihad

The young English player not only defended securely but also actively joined the attack. Against Liverpool, he was the primary outlet in transitions, especially down the left side, where Pep repeatedly instructed his players to exploit.

O'Reilly tirelessly moved up and down the flank as if he had his own lane at the Etihad. If not for fatigue late in the game, he might have scored on two missed chances. But it is this full dedication that makes him a role model for Man City's new generation: hardworking, intelligent, and fearless in physical confrontations.

Guardiola had previously trusted Ake for the left-back role in important matches, but now O'Reilly is the one given that responsibility. While the £31 million newcomer Rayan Ait-Nouri remains on the bench, Nico has started in 7 of the last 8 matches, and coincidentally, the only game he missed was a 0-1 loss to Aston Villa.

From being seen as a "stopgap" option, O'Reilly has now become a key tactical component in Pep’s formation: able to tuck inside when building play, surge forward on counters, or drop back to assist the center-backs.

Guardiola remarked: "He is smart, understands his role well, and knows when to engage in challenges. Nico used to be a midfielder, so his ball handling, turning, and game reading skills are very helpful. I am extremely pleased with how he has developed."

M.Vũ

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