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Tevez knows his fellow Argentine shines bright

 

Martin Hardy
Thursday 23 February 2012 11:00 GMT
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Carlos Tevez has to rebuild trust after his five-month absence
Carlos Tevez has to rebuild trust after his five-month absence

Welcome (back) to Manchester, Carlos? The crowd were on their feet, singing the name of an Argentine who had put their team into the Europa League last 16.

They did not sing for Tevez, but for Sergio Aguero – one goal, one assist. When he left in the 80th-minute, everyone stood. At 23, Aguero has the world at his feet. Potential redemption for Tevez, in contrast, starts this morning.

"I accept his apology, I don't have any problem," said Roberto Mancini. "Tomorrow, I will meet him before training and after that he can begin to work with us. He needs maybe two or three weeks to find good form and after that he will be OK. We are on the top of the Premier League, but I think that it will be good if he can help us to do a good job in the next two months."

Tevez knew, once Aguero arrived in July last year, that the new model was more expensive, more coveted and five years younger. Last night, the 23-year-old took 19 seconds to end the tie, latching on to Yaya Touré's through ball and showing composure to slot a right-footed shot into the corner of the Porto goal. His work rate impressed. On the half-hour he went around Helton and his angled, floated shot was inches too high, striking wood. His through ball to Edin Dzeko in the closing stages created a second.

Aguero, in a team that can be rotated, is a must-start. And in that admission is the contrast to his fellow countryman.

Tevez has to rebuild trust, to change the opinion that five months of non-appearance has formed. His fitness is said to be good, but it will take further work to return to match speed. He must keep his head down and find the patience of a child waiting for his hero's signature. Saving his career has to come before saving face.

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