There were few complaints when Julian Alvarez was named in the Manchester City starting line up against Nottingham Forest, and it was hardly a surprise.
Pep Guardiola had talked him up in recent press conferences, saying he could have had a hat-trick in the friendly against Barcelona and praised his 'unsung' role in City's comeback vs Crystal Palace off the bench. 'You will see,' said the boss when praising Alvarez, and predicting big things from him in the coming weeks when the fixtures start coming every three days.
However, while Guardiola rewarded Alvarez with a start, it came alongside Erling Haaland, meaning he was not used in his natural position and - quite literally - played in his shadow for the first half.
