The days of having two centre-forwards in a starting XI seem to be relegated to the past, but that does not mean two strikers cannot be on the pitch at the same time.
Manchester City fans could perhaps count on one finger the number of times Pep Guardiola has played a formation ending in a ‘2’ but you would need more than ten fingers to record the occasions he has fielded two forwards in the same team.
Gabriel Jesus was a prime example of this, the attacker often playing on the wing when Sergio Aguero was selected through the middle.
The same has happened with Julian Alvarez albeit in a different position, despite concerns over whether he and Haaland could fit into the same line-up given Guardiola’s preference for a sole striker. READ MORE: Police probe as City game stopped after alleged racist abuse READ MORE: City might have found their best form at the perfect time However, amid Kevin De Bruyne’s long-term absence, Alvarez has often sat in behind Haaland.