So far this season, Enzo Maresca has heavily relied upon Ruben Dias and Marc Guehi in the heart of Manchester City. Given their status as leaders in Enzo Maresca's squad, that is an understandable decision by the City manager. However, there have been signs that Marc Guehi and Ruben Dias are showing signs of fatigue . Manchester City's fixture list doesn't ease up any time soon. You do feel that Maresca will now have to play Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis in the heart of Manchester City's defence to give Dias and Guehi a rest. In the case of Vitor Reis, it does seem like it is time for him to begin to play a bigger role for his team.
So far this season, Vitor Reis has made two appearances for Manchester City. He started Manchester City's 5-0 Carabao Cup third-round win over Norwich City. He also came on for the final minute of Manchester City's 4-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. For now, Vitor Reis has had to be patient and wait for opportunities to play.
First of all, it is understandable why Enzo Maresca has heavily relied upon Ruben Dias and Marc Guehi to begin this season. Maresca has wanted to establish his system with his team. Dias and Guehi are crucial to Manchester City's process. Vitor Reis is only 20 and isn't ready for a prominent role at City. However, Manchester City's fixture list is gruelling and it does seem like it is time to give Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis an opportunity to play to allow Guehi and Dias the opportunity to rest.
Vitor Reis showed during his loan spell with Girona in La Liga last season how good he can be. The Brazilian international was by far and away the best young centre-back in La Liga last season. He thrives as a ball-playing centre-back and he read the games exceptionally well and times his challenges superbly. So he is more than capable of stepping up and playing a role for Manchester City. He just needs an opportunity. That hasn't arrived yet but you feel that it should. Vitor Reis will likely start in Manchester City's fourth round Carabao Cup tie against Brighton next week. But he perhaps should be given an opportunity to start tonight against AEK Athens.
Manchester City face AEK Athens tonight at the Etihad Stadium in their third UEFA Champions League league phase fixture. Enzo Maresca's side do need to pick up three points tonight. However, the opportunity for Maresca to rotate his squad is also there tonight. Especially when you consider that City could be without five key players tonight.
That is where an opportunity for Vitor Reis to start may arise. He could step in at centre-back or play at right-back to make a back three when City have possession. The expectation would be that Josko Gvardiol will start at left-back and drift forward as he has all season. Either way, there is an opportunity for Vitor Reis to start tonight against AEK Athens. It remains to be seen if it is an option that Enzo Maresca will use.
Manchester City do have a quality defensive option in Vitor Reis to use to allow Enzo Maresca to rotate his centre-backs. As of yet, the young Brazilian centre-back has yet to play prominent minutes for City this season. The likelihood of that changing does seem real and perhaps tonight is the night that Vitor Reis is called upon to start making an impact for his team.
