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Julian Alvarez is revelling in his partnership with Erling Haaland in Manchester City\u2019s attack.<\/p>\n
The Argentinian World Cup winner continued his strong start to the season with two goals as the holders began their Champions League title defence with a comfortable 3-1 win over Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
An injury for Kevin De Bruyne has seen Alvarez handed a run of games in support of prolific centre forward Haaland and it is a role he is relishing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am very happy with the goals, to help the team,\u201d the 23-year-old said. \u201cWe are doing well, we are winning \u2013 which is the most important thing \u2013 and playing good games.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI am trying to adapt and I continue growing in this position, where I am moving freely, to give the team another option and add to the attack.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alavarez was the dominant figure in City\u2019s forward line as they threatened to overwhelm Red Star in their opening Group G game at the Etihad Stadium.<\/p>\n
Yet despite creating a plethora of chances \u2013 with Haaland hitting the bar and goalkeeper Omri Glazer making several saves \u2013 City fell behind to an Osman Bukari strike just before half-time.<\/p>\n
Alvarez began the fightback with a fine dinked finish after the restart and then put Pep Guardiola\u2019s side ahead when his free-kick was inadvertently punched into the goal by Glazer.<\/p>\n
Rodri wrapped up a thoroughly deserved victory with a typically composed finish 17 minutes from time but, again, City could have had several more. Haaland went the closest when he hit the goal frame for a second time.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe played a good game,\u201d said Alvarez. \u201cIt was important to start with a win and three points at home in this difficult competition. We are very happy.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had many chances we could not convert but Pep told us to keep doing what we were doing and the goals would come.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was the same in the previous game where we were losing and came back, so it was fine. We always try to stay calm, play well in the second half and win.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alvarez was not a regular starter last season, despite his starring role in his country\u2019s World Cup triumph, but Guardiola believes he can do an important job in easing the goalscoring burden on Haaland.<\/p>\n
Guardiola said: \u201cIt\u2019s the same player as last season but being a World Cup winner doesn\u2019t mean you have to play all the time.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast season we had Kevin and (Ilkay) Gundogan in that position. Kevin was in top form and Gundo was incredible.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn that moment sometimes it was difficult to find spaces but I never had a doubt.<\/p>\n
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\u201cNow Gundo has gone and Kevin unfortunately is injured. We need players to be close to Erling, don\u2019t put all the responsibilities just on the shoulders of Erling to score all the goals.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why when Phil (Foden) has played there, when Julian plays there, we have the feeling that we create a lot of chances.\u201d<\/p>\n