When Ederson conceded a penalty and the equaliser in the draw against Liverpool last weekend, that was not the end of the damage for Manchester City because the goalkeeper will miss a crucial period after injuring a thigh when fouling Darwin Núñez. Conveniently, Stefan Ortega is more than good enough to fill in for the Brazilian.
At Anfield, Ortega ensured matters were not exacerbated, coming off the bench at a moment’s notice and not conceding. The German will be in goal against Newcastle in the FA Cup on Saturday, and could be required in critical Premier League matches after the international break when Arsenal and Aston Villa visit the Etihad Stadium.
Aged 31, Ortega is not an inexperienced player, spending much of his career as a first choice. Before joining City on a free transfer in 2022, he was a key member of the Arminia Bielefeld squad for five seasons but spent only two years as a top-flight player in Germany. Ortega and his family have settled in Cheshire and are close friends with the De Bruynes and Akanjis.
Ortega’s competence has never been questioned at City but having the focus and mentality to step into the cauldron of Anfield after an equaliser, and with Liverpool on top, is difficult. He was composed on the ball and made an important save from Núñez to ensure City escaped with a point.
“A big shout out to Stefan for coming off the bench at such a difficult place and being ready,” John Stones said. “An incredible keeper. It’s not easy at all to come on at that stage and how he played.” Stones’s words might be what is expected of a teammate but it indicates the respect he has within the group. There is an air of calmness around Ortega which emanates when the ball is at his feet.
After the failure of Zack Steffen as Ederson’s backup, a lengthy search was required to find someone more suited. The American’s City career in effect ended with a mistake in the 2022 FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool. A team relegated from the Bundesliga might not have seemed the natural first port of call to find someone with the right characteristics and goalkeeping attributes but City were alerted to Ortega two years before they signed him. After it was suggested he could be a suitable deputy to Ederson, the club did lengthy due diligence on Ortega, who was also a target for Atlético Madrid.
Ederson has been seen to reinvent the wheel when it comes to goalkeeper distribution, a key component of Pep Guardiola’s City, and Ortega’s quality with the ball at his feet is imperative. He does not have the booming left boot of his colleague but he can pick a pass with precision, ensuring that the transition from first to second choice will not be an issue for City.
Regardless of Ederson’s fitness, Ortega would have started against Newcastle. It will be his 11th appearance of the campaign as he aims to surpass the 14 he made in his first season in England. He is the domestic cups goalkeeper and not even Scott Carson can threaten that title. The zero-hours contract has worked quite well for Ortega, responding to delivery demands. In last season’s triumphant FA Cup run, he conceded a solitary goal in six matches.
This success was part of the reason Bayern Munich attempted last summer to prise him away from Manchester and return him to his homeland. The German champions missed Manuel Neuer for 10 months in 2023 and it was difficult to replace him. Ortega was told he would play in Neuer’s absence but did not quibble with City’s lack of interest in selling. Not many clubs would stand firm over the future of their second-choice goalkeeper but there was no ambition to let Ortega leave because he performs a critical role in the squad. Nottingham Forest inquired in January but were quickly told Ortega had no interest in exiting, though it is thought he may be lured away in the summer if he continues as the deputy. He has just over a year on his contract and talks are not progressing because, at his age, he realises he needs to be No 1.
Guardiola says Ortega is pushing Ederson as first choice and it is not the usual platitudes given out to the media. Ortega believes he has the quality to oust his teammate. Most No 2s know their place but Ortega has shown marked improvement since he arrived in England and has the capabilities to be a first choice.
He has spent another season being Ederson’s support act but the stage is set for him to show why he can be the main man, even if that is away from the Etihad. If he produces in Ederson’s absence he will have made some special memories – and won medals – to take away with him.
