In Argentine football, he was probably the best specialist in executing the Rabona pass Claudio Borghi. In the art of passing one leg behind the other to hit the ball, the Bichi composed movements that were as aesthetic as they were effective. It wasn’t an unnecessary luxury, but a resource to use his most powerful leg – the right – when it wasn’t in a favorable profile.
Every goal preceded by a Rabona pass has a special charm. This happened with the definition of “head”. Phil Foden after the help of Rayan Cherki. It wasn’t a significant factor in the outcome Manchester City beat him 2-0 SunderlandEditwith goals from defenders Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, and there were still 25 minutes left in the game for the 15th date Premier League.
But it was the goal that was most talked about because it came after a shot from the right with the left foot of the Frenchman Cherki, who stopped in front of Trai Hume a few meters before reaching the byline and stepped on the ball, leaving the rabona to him, which Foden connected with a great header. A quality example that justifies this T-shirt number 10 that Cherki carries.
It was a more than productive day for Manchester City as the victory was combined with the 2-1 win against leaders Arsenal opposite Aston Villa to reduce the difference between Mikel Arteta’s team and two points.
One of the greatest recognitions Cherki received were the words of Pep Guardiola at the press conference: “I hadn’t even seen Messi block a cross like that. “Messi is the best footballer there is and yet I have never seen him make a pass like that.”
During the week, Messi described Guardiola as “unique” in an interview and on other occasions he described the Catalan as the best coach of his career because of his ability to plan games and the solutions he finds. Under Guardiola’s leadership, Leo won two of the four Champions Leagues of his career and three Spanish leagues in their four years together at Barcelona.
Guardiola further elaborated on what a rabona is among the requirements of a game, using Messi as an example: “A cross is a cross… It doesn’t matter if it’s with the right foot, with the left, with part of a foot, with the head… It doesn’t matter. If it’s effective, great. But I like simplicity, because I learned from Messi, who was never wrong. He was never wrong about the simple things. Never. He did simple things perfectly… and then he dribbled past four or five players. I want my players to do simple things well. From then on, if you want to give a Rabona endorsement, it’s fine. Some players have a special talent that was passed down to them from their parents and then they can do whatever they want. But when it doesn’t work… then it becomes a problem. “Then you’ll have problems.”
It’s not the first time Cherki has attempted a rabona pass. There are also videos from his time in Lyon where he shows this suddenness. Manchester City paid Lyon for the transfer of the right winger in June this year 36.5 million euros. Even without so much continuity – 398 of the 1,350 possible minutes in this Premier League – Cherki adds five assists, leading the category Bruno Fernandes (1252 minutes at Manchester United) and Mohamed Kudus (1213 in Tottenham). He also scored a goal against Wolvehampton in the first game.
Manchester City compact 3 against Sunderland 0
“I work with my teammates all day long. I adapt better, I try to bring fun and joy to the Manchester City fans and my teammates.” Yes, of course, that is my quality (the Rabona). I want to try it whenever I have the ball. “Today it went well because it was a good pass for Phil,” said Cherki, who received more praise from Guardiola, apart from the luxury in Foden’s goal: “He is an exceptional player. He is very young (22 years old), he has a huge personality; he showed it against Fulham (previous date) in the most difficult moment when he went 5-4 and every time he had the ball he gave extra passes that meant continuity.” He’s not afraid, and yes, a lot of self-confidence. And in the final third of the field it conveys something special.”