Manchester: Claudio Bravo may not have convinced Manchester City’s supporters of his quality but old boss Manuel Pellegrini believes the former Barcelona stopper is “the best in the world”.
Bravo has kept just three clean sheets since joining City and has faced severe criticism for some of his performances, including the 3-1 home defeat to Chelsea at the weekend.
But Bravo’s compatriot Pellegrini, who took City to the semi-finals of the Champions League last season, has leapt to his defence and hit out at the British press ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Celtic.
“He is criticised a lot but Claudio Bravo is the best goalkeeper in the world,” said the Chilean.
“The English press are very hard on him, as they are with the entire world.
“And if Bravo has gone from Real Sociedad to Barcelona and Barcelona to Man City it is because he is the best goalkeeper in the world.”
Tuesday’s match is a dead rubber — City are already through to the knockout stages, whilst Brendan Rodgers’ side have performed admirably, especially the 3-3 draw against Pep Guardiola’s club at Celtic Park in September, but ultimately this will be their final European game of the season.
Meanwhile, City striker Sergio Aguero will serve a four-match ban for violent conduct, the English Football Association (FA) said on Monday.
The Argentina international was shown a straight red card in stoppage time of City’s defeat by Chelsea on Saturday for a two-footed lunge on centre back David Luiz.
Aguero’s tackle sparked a melee at the Etihad Stadium, with players and coaching staff from both teams involved in ugly scenes during which City midfielder Fernandinho was also sent off.
Fernandinho will serve a three-game ban.
Aguero also served a three-match suspension for violent conduct in September for elbowing West Ham United defender Winston Reid.
