Pep Guardiola praises the outstanding performance of Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez, referring to him as “extraordinary” following his impressive two-goal performance against Burnley.

Burnley manager Vincent Kompany and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola clashed in a thrilling Premier League match on Wednesday night. Guardiola had high praise for Julian Alvarez, who scored twice in City’s 3-1 victory.

City’s win propelled them into second place in the Premier League, level on points with Arsenal but with a game in hand. However, they still trail league leaders Liverpool.

Despite facing little resistance from Kompany’s side, the match was significant for Kevin De Bruyne’s return from injury and Alvarez’s impressive performance.

Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Guardiola expressed his satisfaction with his team’s performance. He acknowledged the challenges posed by Burnley’s preparation but commended his players for their quality and ability to find the back of the net.

Guardiola also heaped praise on Alvarez, who celebrated his 24th birthday with a remarkable display. The Argentine forward has now scored 20 goals in 24 home appearances for City. Guardiola described him as an extraordinary player who contributes in many ways.

One of Alvarez’s goals was set up by De Bruyne, who revealed that the move was practiced during training. The Belgian playmaker initially hesitated but was encouraged by his teammate’s movement, which created space for Alvarez. De Bruyne executed the pass perfectly, leading to a celebration from Guardiola and his coaching staff.

De Bruyne emphasized the importance of the coaching staff’s input and their ability to provide options during set-pieces. He expressed his delight at successfully executing the planned move, describing it as a “nice goal.”

Overall, City’s victory and Alvarez’s standout performance have further solidified their position in the Premier League. Guardiola and his team will now look ahead to their next challenge as they aim to close the gap on Liverpool at the top of the table.