Although Wolves have hit the post twice against Manchester City, this is still the 5th clean sheet after 7 matches of coach Pep Guardiola's team. Kevin De Bruyne was the focus after the Citizens' 1-0 victory, but Guardiola's satisfaction did not stop there.
Guardiola admitted that he did not expect Nico O'Reilly and Matheus Nunes to be full-backs. However, this change was successful. That is Man City's 5 wins and 1 draw in 6 matches in all competitions since O'Reilly made his Premier League debut.
The decision to push the full-backs up and expand the reach - limiting the opportunities for many wingers Guardiola has - is a tactical change that has taken the team to the Champions League. Some difficult problems of the Etihad team have been solved.
Guardiola's change allowed Man City to fill the midfield with their experienced set of four. Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic have all caught up with their teammates around, with shorter distances.
According to Guardiola himself, with his high standards, he should have known better. "Now I wonder why Nico O'Reilly didn't play in November, December, January, February. I should do it," said the Spaniard.
It's better late than never. Guardiola has resolved the problem and secured a place in the Champions League next season. Top 5 and the FA Cup title will be the best thing for Man City at the moment.
"Arsenal have played one game less. That is not our goal. Head to the Champions League and the FA Cup final is a concern," Guardiola said when asked about Man City's goals.
The crowd at the Etihad Stadium stood up and shouted "Oh, Kevin De Bruyne!" in an emotional moment. Last month, the 33-year-old announced that he would leave the club when his contract expired at the end of the season.
"I know I have one more game at the Etihad, but I try to fulfill my duties as I have always done. I did it today, so I'm proud of what I'm doing and that's how it should be," the Belgian told Sky Sports.
De Bruyne, who has struggled with injuries in the past two seasons, has expressed his surprise that Man City did not offer him a contract extension. And the performance against Wolves was another example of De Bruyne's value.
"Many teammates have said it was sad for me to leave. But sometimes in life, things go like that and I think the way I express and act like a teammate. I will give my all and want to win every match" - De Bruyne added.
Asked about his future, De Bruyne said: "Unfortunately, I still don't know. I think I have proven that I can still play, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to do what I have done in the past 4 or 5 weeks."
