When you’re in an audition to succeed Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, the king of overthinking weird and wonderful tactical ploys, it must be tempting to do something strange.
On cue, Roberto de Zerbi started James Milner, 37, at right-back for Brighton up against City winger Jeremy Doku, one of the quickest players in the Premier League.
The contest went as you would expect. City got Doku on the ball at every opportunity and he tore Milner to shreds.
It took Doku just six minutes to set up City’s first goal from that side and Milner was taken off at half-time.
Jeremy Doku won the bаttle with James Milner in Man City’s win over Brighton at the Etihad
Doku got the better of his opponent, by using his speed and trickery to get past Milner
Julian Alvarez netted their first of the afternoon when he found the target inside the area from Doku’s cutback.
The latter enjoyed a lot of success down the left wing and Milner was unable to keep up with him for much of the half.
Speaking on commentary for talkSPORT, Dean Ashton said: “It’s not fair on poor old Milner, honestly.
“He’s not really getting the support either from [Simon] Adingra, another young player that probably doesn’t quite understand yet that role that he’s playing and the needs of Milner when he’s up against Doku.
“But City have just been so elite in this game and Brighton haven’t been able to play out.
“[Roberto] De Zerbi has been absolutely fuming on the touchline because he feels like his team at the moment can’t cope and aren’t executing what he wants.”
Doku completed four of the five dribbles he attempted during the first half against Brighton and won one foul.
Milner on the other hand made just one tackle and it proved to be a foul, although he wasn’t dribbled past by any opposition player.
Alvarez’s goal was soon followed up by Erling Haaland’s strike that found the bottom corner to double City’s advantage.
Milner was then substituted off at half-time and replaced by Joel Veltman for the second half at the Etihad Stadium.
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In total in this match, Doku had 7 Successful dribbles, 2 Chances created, and won 8/10 Duels