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11 months ago
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Robbie Savage was critical of Kalvin Phillips and blamed the Manchester City midfielder for allowing Red Star Belgrade to score in Wednesday's Champions League clash.
City overcame the Serbian side with a 3-2 win despite having already qualified for the next round of the Champions League, with youngster Micah Hamilton scoring on his debut and Phillips given a rare start by Pep Guardiola.
The Englishman has struggled for minutes this season and made just his ninth appearance of the season in all competitions for the reigning Champions League holders.
Savage insisted Phillips was at fault for not tracking the run of Red Star forward Hwang In-beom who scored the hosts' first of two goals against City.
The South Korean winger found space at the back-post and fired past goalkeeper Stefan Ortega to reduce City's lead to just one-goal.
Man City midfielder Kalvin Phillips was criticised by Robbie Savage for not tracking his runner against Red Star Belgrade
Phillips made a rare start for City in their final Champions League group game against Red Star Belgrade
Commentating on the match for TNT Sports, Savage said: 'It’s Kalvin Phillips that doesn’t track the run of Hwang. Yep.
'Phillips, if you’re playing as that six - that defensive-minded player, you have to go with the run. Look Hwang gets away from Phillips, and it’s a great goal, gets across the goalkeeper, laces through it.'
Phillips has largely struggled to force his way into a starting role at the Etihad since making his £45m switch from Leeds last year and is already considering his future at the club despite signing a six-year contract upon joining.
He eventually recovered from the momentary lapse in concentration against Red Star by scoring City's third goal after being placed on penalty responsibilities.
Phillips ended the game by scoring the winner from the penalty spot in Serbia on Wednesday
Savage blamed Phillips' positioning after Red Star scored their first of two goals in the game
The 28-year-old made no mistake from 12-yards as he scored his first goal for the club to seal a routine victory in the Champions League.
Man City manager, Guardiola, recently apologised for not giving Phillips more regular opportunities.
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Guardiola previously said: ''I don’t know what will happen to Kalvin Phillips. He has good character, I’m so sorry I have not picked him.
'I visualise my team and select a team and I struggle to see him.'
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