Barcelona icon Rivaldo has gone against the grain and believes there is no favourite in the Champions League final despite many anticipating Manchester City will emerge victorious against Inter Milan.
'Hardly recognise him' - Ralf Rangnick surprised by Man City defender Manuel Akanji
30.04.2023 - 09:43 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Former Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has suggested Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji is a 'different player' to the one that arrived from Borussia Dortmund.
Rangnick, who took charge of 29 matches as Reds boss last season, admitted he was surprised by the form of the Swiss centre-back since he joined from Dortmund last summer. Akanji has made 39 appearances for Pep Guardiola's side this campaign, which has included 32 starts.
Akanji has received widespread praise for how quickly he has settled into life as a Blues player, especially given his versatility across the backline. The majority of his matches have come at centre-half, however, he has also played at both right-back and left-back this term - including against Arsenal on Wednesday night.
ALSO READ: Pep Guardiola sets mentality challenge to Man City squad after Arsenal win
Discussing the form of Akanji, Rangnick admitted he was surprised by the impact the 27-year-old has had at the Etihad since his summer switch.
"You can hardly recognise him compared to his time at Borussia Dortmund," he said, as per Blick. "[He] performs with a naturalness, as if he had always played at this level in a team like this.
"[This happens when Pep Guardiola] is so convinced of a player, has fallen in love with a player, works and talks with him so much, develops him. It was like with Joshua Kimmich, who Pep fell in love with in Munich."
No City defender has made more appearances for Guardiola's side than Akanji this season, with Portuguese centre-back Ruben Dias having featured on 36 occasions.
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