Despite falling to a 4-2 defeat to PSG at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night, there were plenty of positives to take from the match for Enzo Maresca and City supporters. Manchester City’s second-half display showed that this City side is more than capable of becoming an elite side. Ayyoub Bouaddi showed his prodigious talent after taking control of the midfield battle against Luis Enrique’s. Another major positive for City was the exciting display of Iliman Ndiaye. The Senegalese winger showed that he can add another dynamic to City’s attack at the Etihad.
Iliman Ndiaye made a huge impact in the second half against PSG.
Enzo Maresca made a triple substitution against PSG with his team 3-0 down to the back-to-back European champions. He brought on Ayyoub Bouaddi, Iliman Ndiaye and Matheus Nunes for Rayan Cherki, Jeremy Doku and Ruben Dias. The changes had the necessary effect as Manchester City roared back into the game before eventually losing 4-2. All three of the substitutes made a tremendous impact on the match. Iliman Ndiaye created havoc in the final third from the moment he came on against PSG.
Iliman Ndiaye slotted straight in on the left wing after halftime. His ability to beat a defender with his electric dribbling caused PSG all sorts of problems. Ndiaye drove at the PSG defence time and time again in the second half of Wednesday night’s match. He didn’t give Achraf Hakimi a moment’s peace. Ndiaye is elite in one-on-one situations and that helped City keep PSG on the back foot. Iliman Ndiaye also grabbed an assist as he set up Erling Haaland’s first goal in the 53rd minute with a superb cross that Haaland headed home.
Iliman Ndiaye’s unpredictability with the ball at his feet is a key component of his play. He is an elite dribbler. Also, Ndiaye is a tireless worker out of possession. This also stood out against PSG. That side of Ndiaye’s game doesn’t get the plaudits but it is vital to his, and Manchester City’s play. The work rate of Ndiaye helped City keep Hakimi quiet in the second half and it was an underrated aspect of Manchester City’s second half dominance against PSG.
Manchester City have a winger who offers something different in Iliman Ndiaye.
Iliman Ndiaye played his best 45 minutes for Manchester City in the second half against PSG. Ndiaye had been good when he was on the pitch for Enzo Maresca’s side before Wednesday night’s match. However, his display against PSG went up a gear. In the process, Ndiaye illustrated that he is almost the ideal fit for Enzo Maresca’s side.
In terms of what Iliman Ndiaye offers Enzo Maresca on the wing, he is different to Antoine Semenyo and Jeremy Doku. Ndiaye is a tireless worker on both sides of the ball. This is a staple of his game. In possession, Ndiaye can pin an opponent’s full-backs back. The unpredictability of his game when he is in possession is a major attacking threat for City. Opposing full-backs have no idea which way Ndiaye will go or what he’ll do and much like Jeremy Doku, this is an element of City’s attacking play that makes them so hard to contain.
Iliman Ndiaye showed how dangerous he can be for Manchester City against PSG. His performance was exciting and looking ahead if Ndiaye can bring that consistently, he’s going to torment Manchester City’s opponents throughout this season.