‘I’ve had the better of him’… Yannick Bolasie says he always used to dominate one defender at Man City

Redaction Simon Brett with Srinivas Sadhanand
Published on 2024-02-29 09:00:00

Yannick Bolasie claims that he always had the upper hand against Pablo Zabaleta whenever they faced each other on the field.

The memorable game that stands out is from the 2014/2015 season when Bolasie, playing for Crystal Palace, went head-to-head with Zabaleta from Manchester City. Despite Palace’s 3-0 loss, with goals from David Silva and Yaya Toure, Bolasie’s performance left a mark.

Bolasie, known for his quick feet and tricky dribbling, caused problems for other defenders like Martin Demichelis and Eliaquim Mangala.

However, Zabaleta, a seasoned right-back, managed to handle everything Bolasie threw at him during their encounters. But Bolasie believes that he was a nightmare for Zabaleta to deal with, especially when positioned on the left wing.

In a podcast interview, Bolasie confidently asserted, “I’ve had the better of him.” He pointed out that during their clashes, he always felt in control and had the edge over Zabaleta.

While Palace did manage to secure a victory against City in another game, Zabaleta was not the starting right-back, showcasing the respect he commanded in one-on-one situations.

Zabaleta’s skill, toughness in tackles, and overall defensive prowess made it challenging for wingers like Bolasie to outmaneuver him. The former Premier League winner was a force to reckon with on the pitch, excelling in both defensive and attacking roles.

Even though Bolasie caused chaos for many defenders during his time in the league, Zabaleta stood out as a formidable opponent who was rarely bested.

In conclusion, while Bolasie may have felt he had the upper hand against Zabaleta, the Argentine defender’s prowess and consistency on the field suggest otherwise.

Zabaleta’s legacy as a top-class right-back remains intact, proving to be a tough challenge for any winger he faced.

Read Original article on Manchester City News