Nico O’Reilly says his relationship with his fellow City squad members is benefitting from a sustained run in the team. Men's Team Analysing Nottingham Forest ahead of Saturday’s Premier League cl...
Nico O’Reilly says his relationship with his fellow City squad members is benefitting from a sustained run in the team.
Analysing Nottingham Forest ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash
The Academy graduate has become Pep Guardiola’s undisputed first choice at left-back in the first half of the 2025/26 season, playing in 23 of our 26 games so far.
In that time, he’s formed a close bond with two players in particular – Josko Gvardiol, who has been the left side centre-back for much of the term, and Jeremy Doku, who is often on the left wing.
The trio have been crucial to City’s excellent form, with the Blues handily placed in both the Premier League and Champions League and through to the final four of the Carabao Cup.
O’Reilly says that familiarity is only making City better and better.
“It’s easier when you’re playing with players that you play with every two or three days - you build connections and relationships with each other,” he said.
City to wear rain-inspired Third kit against Forest
“I’ve got Josko [Gvardiol] next to me most of the time and I know if I jump up, he is there to cover me and vice versa. The relationship I have with Jez [Jeremy Doku] too - if he wants to go inside, I’m outside and the other way too. It’s all clicking nicely.
“We’ve realised each other’s strengths and we work off each other. Everything has come pretty naturally - all the games come so fast and we’re all playing so many minutes. When it’s like that, it’s easier to understand each other.
“As soon as we’re around the goal, we know where Erling [Haaland] is going to be, we know what the wingers can do, Phil [Foden] has found his spark and he’s on top form.
“This is what we needed - we needed players to step up like that. We’re in great form and we’re doing very well.”
One moment in time: The City Ground controversy!
With City second in the Premier League and just two points behind leaders Arsenal with 21 games to go, talk of a title challenge has already begun.
However, O’Reilly refused to be drawn on the matter when asked ahead of our latest clash – a trip to Nottingham Forest on 27 December.
“It’s something you have to put to the side,” he said.
“There’s a lot of games still to come - we’re in a great position at the minute but we take every game as it comes.
“We go into each game needing the three points if we want to be anywhere near there at the end of the season. We focus on our own games.”
City v Brighton tickets on general sale
We welcome an entertaining Brighton side to the Etihad at 19:30 (UK) on Wednesday 7 January.
And with tickets now on general sale, you could be there to see it!
Fans can now claim three tickets each, with adults from £30 and concessions as low as £15.
Or make it a night to remember with hospitality packages starting from just £180 per person and a wide range of experiences available to suit your budget.
Category: General Sports
