Claudio Echeverri's dedication to honing his free-kick skills has earned high praise from Manchester City's manager, Pep Guardiola. The young Argentine midfielder, who recently joined the club, showcased his talent by scoring a stunning free-kick in City's dominant 6-0 victory against Al Ain in the Club World Cup. This marked Echeverri's first start for the team, making the goal even more significant.
Guardiola revealed that Echeverri's success was no accident, highlighting the player's commitment to practicing free-kicks after training sessions. "I want to tell you something, so since he arrived... at the end of the training session, he was practising the free-kicks alone, with the 'keeper, with the wall," Guardiola told reporters. He emphasized that this extra effort set Echeverri apart from other players who didn't dedicate the same time to practicing these specific skills.
The manager further elaborated on the importance of practice, drawing parallels to other sports like golf and basketball. He noted that consistent practice increases the chances of success, giving players both the courage and the quality to perform under pressure. Echeverri's goal, which curled beautifully over the wall and into the top corner, was a testament to his hard work and dedication.
Echeverri, nicknamed 'Little Devil', arrived at Manchester City from River Plate. He made his debut in May during the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace. In the game against Al Ain, Echeverri's impressive performance was unfortunately cut short due to a minor ankle injury, leading to his substitution at half-time. Guardiola acknowledged this setback, saying, "It's a pity for the twist. [It]s a little bit sore." Despite the injury, Guardiola lauded Echeverri's overall contribution, describing him as an "incredible player" with exceptional talent in tight spaces.
The Manchester City manager was not only pleased with Echeverri's performance, but also with new signing Rayan Ait-Nouri. Gundogan also received praise from Guardiola, who said, "Gundo's an exceptional player! Exceptional in all senses. He's really, really good and made a fantastic goal, he reads what we have to do every game. I'm really pleased.”
Manchester City's victory against Al Ain has secured their place in the Club World Cup knockout stages. The team is now set to face Juventus to determine the top spot in Group G. Should they win, they will have a higher chance of avoiding Real Madrid in the Round of 16.
