Alan Shearer heavily criticized the performance of Mateo Kovacic, a Manchester City player, following their 2-1 loss to Wolves. Shearer, an expert known for his insights, dissected Kovacic’s game on BBC Match of the Day, targeting his significant number of ball losses during the match.
Kovacic, normally playing in a different position, was positioned as a defensive midfielder due to Rodri’s suspension. Shearer echoed the sentiments of many by asserting that Kovacic’s performance against Wolves was below par, emphasizing the importance of precision when facing a team of Manchester City’s caliber.
He pointed out that Kovacic’s passing attempts were often unsuccessful, especially when trying to connect with Erling Haaland in the opponent’s territory. Defensively, Kovacic struggled to maintain the pace and cover the ground as effectively as Rodri, which led to errors resulting from sloppy passing. Overall, Shearer labeled Kovacic’s performance as “terrible” and singled him out as Manchester City’s biggest letdown against Wolves.
However, Shearer did acknowledge the challenging circumstances Kovacic faced, playing out of his usual position against Wolves. Despite this, the critique remained firm, underscoring the importance of adaptability and performance under pressure in professional football. The scrutiny of Kovacic’s performance highlighted the demanding standards of a top-tier club like Manchester City and the need for players to rise to the occasion, regardless of their position or circumstances.
