Stefan Ortega reveals ‘shy’ but ‘incredible’ Manchester City star has now ‘fully adapted’ to the club

Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega has been full of praise for star striker Julian Alvarez, whom he believes has now ‘fully adapted’ to life at the Etihad Stadium.

The Argentina World Cup winner was at the centre of yet more brilliance this week having scored the winning goal in Manchester City’s dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over RB Leipzig on Tuesday night.

Alvarez was brought on from the substitutes bench by manager Pep Guardiola to inspire his teammates to completing a remarkable turnaround against the Bundesliga outfit, delivering just what was asked of him.

Another teammate making an appearance on the night was German goalkeeper Stefan Ortega Moreno, who was keen to issue praise on the 23-year-old whilst addressing the media in the aftermath of the top spot-securing victory.

Speaking this week to ManCity.com, the Manchester City back-up goalkeeper revealed his delight at the development of teammate Julian Alvarez at the Etihad Stadium, following his arrival from River Plate just last year.

“He’s a nice guy – he was a bit shy in the beginning but now he’s fully adapted, he’s an incredible player and a really nice person,” Stefan Ortega revealed. “He is still young so he can improve and improve every day.”

He continued, “Like everyone in this team – the connection we have is incredible. There are so many nationalities – you enjoy every day when you go to training, it is a lot of fun.”

Should Manchester City go on to claim further silverware this season, then Julian Alvarez will almost certainly be at the centre of the success, and Stefan Ortega believes the hunger remains within the squad to continue their trend of claiming football’s top prizes this season.

Discussing the ambition to retain their UEFA Champions League crown this season, Ortega detailed, “The spirit is still the same and we are still hungry. We know now what is possible with this team and club. That’s why everyone is still hungry.”

“When you are the winner of the competition, the season after everyone tries to punish you and beat you,” he told the official club website after the 3-2 win over RB Leipzig this week. “We still have the crown, but we will fight for the next one.”

Julian Alvarez is likely to be called upon in the starting line-up this weekend having earned somewhat of a rest in midweek, as Manchester City host Tottenham Hotspur in a mammoth top of the table Premier League clash.