City Xtra highlighted Husanov's outstanding performance in the match against Real Madrid.
The crucial clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid remains at the center of discussions in English football. Zamin.uz reported on this matter.
Various experts are sharing their opinions and analyses regarding this debate. The prestigious City Xtra website also conducted an in-depth analysis of the match, paying special attention to the performance of Uzbek defender Abdukodir Khusanov.
It is reported that although City suffered their third consecutive defeat to Real and bid farewell to the Champions League, there were still enough positive aspects observed in the final match at the Etihad. While Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku displayed active play in attack, the main burden in defense fell squarely on Khusanov's shoulders.
Especially, Khusanov stood out as the only player capable of withstanding the pressure from top-tier attackers in the opposing lineup such as Federico Valverde, Kylian Mbappé, and Vinícius Júnior. His speed, physical strength, and decisive actions helped neutralize numerous dangerous situations.
Abdukodir Khusanov has been with City for over a year and was one of the players brought in to stabilize the club during the difficult period of 2024–2025. Interestingly, he possesses only two years of professional experience; until 2023, he played for Belarus's Energetik-BGU team before moving to French club Lens.
Initially, he faced difficulties breaking into the main squad but quickly found his place and joined the ranks of the team's leading defenders in 2024. His rapid recovery, aggressive playing style, and physical superiority attracted the attention of European clubs, leading City to sign him in January 2025.
His first match in the Premier League was not very fortunate, as his debut mistake allowed Chelsea to score a goal. Although this situation led to criticism for a long time, Khusanov subsequently dispelled these thoughts with his performance.
He was even named the Player of the Month at the Etihad in February 2025 and repeated this achievement in January 2026. Due to injuries within the team and a drop in form, he was tested in various positions.
Especially when central defenders Rúben Dias and Joško Gvardiol were out of action, Khusanov demonstrated his true potential. The match against Real further revealed the level of his development.
He completed 58 out of 59 passes, demonstrating how quickly he is adapting to Pep Guardiola's style. Furthermore, he stopped Vinícius several times and even neutralized Brahim Díaz's dangerous attack with a precise tackle.
Khusanov's performance is highly rated not only by the coaching staff but also by fans. In a short time, he has become one of the favorite players among City supporters.
According to experts, despite having competitors like Marc Guéhi, Khusanov has already become a serious contender for the starting lineup. Both his current performance and future potential are considered a huge asset for the club.
Source: City Xtra
