If any player deserved a moment in a Manchester City shirt it’s Matheus Nunes | OneFootball

Matheus Nunes scored the winner for Manchester City in the 94th minute of their 2-1 win over Aston Villa last night. His goal sparked huge celebrations at the Etihad as it was a crucial goal in a pivotal fixture. But when you look at the moment itself, if any player deserved to have such a moment in a City shirt, it’s the Portuguese international. Nunes has stepped into a new position for his team and his contribution has been important in City’s recent seven-match unbeaten run.

After Kyle Walker departed Manchester City for AC Milan in January, Pep Guardiola’s side needed a right-back. Walker’s departure and Manuel Akanji’s injury meant there was only Rico Lewis left as a specialist right-back. Up stepped Matheus Nunes to help his team. Usually, Nunes is a midfielder. But his physical attributes do lend themselves to playing at right-back. He isn’t the perfect full-back and there are rough edges to his play. But his willingness to do whatever was required to help Pep Guardiola’s team is commendable. It is part of the reason why Nunes deserved a moment like he had last night.

Matheus Nunes wasn’t perfect last night. It was his misplaced pass in the first half that led to the move that saw Aston Villa awarded a penalty. But from there, he stuck to his task, and he was rewarded for that in the game’s closing moments.

Pep Guardiola has special praise for Matheus Nunes for stepping into a new role.

Pep Guardiola was full of praise for the efforts of Matheus Nunes stepping in at right-back for his team. He explained post-game: “He’s playing not in a natural position, like Nico. If you told me at the beginning of the season you are going to play at the end of the season to reach a final and to fight to qualify for the Champions League with Matheus and Nico at full-back I would say what are you talking about. He has done well, has incredible pace and is a different type of player to Rico. In the small spaces, [Rico] is so clean the way he plays. [Nunes’s] physicality, when he has to run, and hold good wingers he is able to do it and he’s playing better.”

Matheus Nunes has stepped up during the second half of the season for Manchester City. He hasn’t been perfect as a player and he likely never will be. But he deserved a moment like the one he provided last night at the Etihad. It was a massive moment in City’s season and could be looked back upon as a defining one if Pep Guardiola’s side do secure Champions League football for next season.