Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has admitted he did not know who Stefan Ortega was before the club signed him.
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German will start last game vs West HamGoalkeeper made stunning save at TottenhamCity 'keeper coach recommended himWHAT HAPPENED?
Ortega has become a key figure for City this season, standing in for No. 1 Ederson on several occasions due to injury. And he made a potentially pivotal save in the title race when he denied Son Heung-min from close range in the 2-0 win at Tottenham after coming on to replace the injured Ederson.
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"No. It was my keeper department," Guardiola told a press conference. "People talk about the incredible save because that's what it is. Eddy [Ederson] has done it many times before. Know why we won the Champions League? Ederson, make incredible saves at 1-0. And against Benzema. He was the key to win. Cannot define this period without Eddy. It was a strange period for Eddy, four times injured, never seen that. Today we have two top keepers."
GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Ortega signed for City in 2022 on a free transfer after ending his contract at Arminia Bielefeld, who had just been relegated from the Bundesliga. He replaced Zack Steffen, who had been an unreliable back-up to Ederson, making a big mistake in the FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool. Guardiola credited goalkeeping coach Xabi Mancisidor for recommending Ortega. "It was Xabi. It happened in the past, he introduced me to two or three keepers, I said okay, let's go. I'm not an expert on keepers, that's why I have trainers for that. He did really well."
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MAN CITY?
City will win a record fourth consecutive English title if they beat West Ham or Arsenal fail to beat Everton. They can then attempt to do a successive double when they face Manchester United in the FA Cup final.