Manchester City were eliminated from the Champions League with their 2-1 loss at the Etihad Stadium to Real Madrid on Tuesday evening. Pep Guardiola’s side were beaten 5-1 on aggregate by Alvaro Arbeloa’s side over the two legs. It was disappointing to see City crash out of the Champions League as the damage done in the first leg at the Bernabeu was too much for City to overcome. In the second leg, Bernardo Silva was sent off after 20 minutes, which effectively ended City’s chances of a comeback. Despite playing 70 minutes with 10 men, City fought for their lives. With the way that the game played out on Tuesday, it allowed Abdukodir Khusanov to show his best work against Real Madrid. In the process, Khusanov showed that he should be one of the first names on the Manchester City team sheet for the foreseeable future.
Abdukodir Khusanov personified the fight that Manchester City showed against Real Madrid.
Once Manchester City went down to ten men against Real Madrid at the Etihad on Tuesday night, they were up against it. Pep Guardiola’s side pushed forward to try to somehow pull off the impossible. By doing this, they left holes at the back which allowed Real Madrid space in which to counter. Alvaro Arbeloa’s side were dangerous on the break, but the circumstances of the match allowed Abdukodir Khusanov to display his maturity as a player and the best attributes of his game.
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Abdukodir Khusanov is blessed with tremendous pace. This is a key part of his game. Time and time again against Real Madrid Khusanov chased down balls over the top of the City defence. He sniffed out danger extremely well and dealt with the danger. Khusanov’s strength in a challenge also stood out. There can be a reckless side to Khusanov’s game. When it is harnessed it is a major attribute for the young centre-back. That stood out on Tuesday night. The charts below illustrates how much of the pitch Khusanov covered against Real Madrid with his defensive efforts.
In possession, Abdukodir Khusanov is growing as a player. He is far from a liability in possession. His confidence on the ball is growing the more he plays. In terms of being a ball-playing defender, Khusanov has taken giant strides this season. That bodes well for the future of the Uzbekistan international. Against Real Madrid, Khusanov again showed that he is the future of the Manchester City defence.
Abdukodir Khusanov is more than a cult hero and City need to build their defence around him.
Since arriving at Manchester City Abdukodir Khusanov has become a cult hero of sorts to City fans. The way Khusanov plays endears himself to fans. Khusanov’s no nonsense nature and style of play is almost a throwback to previous generations of centre-backs. What has stood out throughout 2026 is that Khusanov is so much more than that. He is now the centre-back that City must build their defence around.
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The way that football has evolved, coupled with how Manchester City play, means that Khusanov with his pace and overall defensive acumen is almost the prototypical modern-day defender. City need to build their defence around Khusanov. He’s shown this season he is ready for that responsibility. Playing Marc Guehi, Ruben Dias or Josko Gvardiol alongside Khusanov will give City the centre-back pairing they need to thrive. Khusanov has established himself as the jewel at the back for City. Pep Guardiola now needs to build his defence around the young defender.
Although Manchester City’s season has taken a turn over the past week, there have been positive to arise from the situation. The growth of Abdukodir Khusanov being a major one. The young defender has gone from being a promising young player with rough edges to a centre-back that should form the cornerstone of Manchester City’s defence.
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