Manchester City never needed to shift out of first gear as they cruised to a commanding 4-0 victory against Slovan Bratislava on Tuesday evening, marking their first win of the 2024-25 Champions League season.
Despite Slovan Bratislava coming close to scoring within minutes of kick off, it did not take long for Man City to assert their complete dominance over the match, scoring the opener after just eight minutes.
Ilkay Gundogan's volley from the edge of the area was deflected into the net to give Man City an early lead, followed by Phil Foden scoring a wonderfully curled effort to double their advantage after 15 minutes.
While the visitors continued to control the game in the following 30 minutes, the Citizens were unable to find their third goal, heading into the break still with just a two-goal lead.
The second half began much like the first, with the visitors in complete control of the game, and they finally added their third goal when Erling Haaland rounded the keeper and slotted it home 13 minutes after the restart.
James McAtee secured the fourth of the evening after an intricate piece of play from Man City culminated in the 21-year-old smashing his strike into the near corner, marking his first senior goal for his boyhood club.
SLOVAN BRATISLAVA VS. MANCHESTER CITY HIGHLIGHTS
Ilkay Gundogan goal vs. Slovan Bratislava (8th min, Slovan Bratislava 0-1 Manchester City)
Manchester City are rewarded for their fast start as Gundogan's deflected volley finds the net, marking the German's first goal since returning to the club this summer.
A deep cross finds Savinho at the back post, with his shot headed to the edge of the box, allowing Gundogan to volley towards goal. The midfielder's strike is deflected into the top left corner by the defender, leaving the keeper wrongfooted and giving Man City the lead.
Phil Foden goal vs. Slovan Bratislava (15th min, Slovan Bratislava 0-2 Manchester City)
Foden and Jeremy Doku combine to help double Man City's lead within just 15 minutes!
The attacking midfielder feeds the ball forward, allowing Doku to dribble into the opposition penalty area before pulling the ball back to Foden just inside the area.
Foden takes one touch to set himself before curling his effort into the far corner, scoring his first of the campaign and Man City's second of the evening.
Erling Haaland goal vs. Slovan Bratislava (58th min, Slovan Bratislava 0-3 Manchester City)
Haaland has his first Champions League goal of the season, his 42nd goal in 41 appearances in the competition!
Rico Lewis is granted plenty of time and space as he casually strolls into the opposition's half with the ball, able to weigh up all of his passing options.
Haaland then bursts into action, making a fast run between the two central defenders, and Lewis perfectly plays the ball through the defence and into his path.
The Norwegian races onto the ball before taking it around the onrushing Dominik Takac and slotting the ball into the empty net with his right foot, finally handing Man City their third of the evening.
James McAtee goal vs. Slovan Bratislava (74th min, Slovan Bratislava 0-4 Manchester City)
A night of firsts for Man City as McAtee scores his first-ever goal for both his boyhood club and in the Champions League!
An intricate piece of play from the visitors sees Lewis and Foden exchange possession just outside the box, with Foden then neatly lifting the ball into the path of McAtee inside the area.
The 21-year-old takes a touch before smashing the ball off the floor and into the near corner, making it 4-0 to the Citizens.
MAN OF THE MATCH - RICO LEWIS
The defender had a brilliant night in both attack and defence for Manchester City, including providing the assist for Haaland's goal to make it 3-0.
Lewis often stepped into the middle of the park for the visitors and often found himself playing as one of the main creators for his side, making three key passes and creating four big chances throughout the game.
He was also a formidable force in defence, winning four ground duels and two tackles to help squash any potential counter-attacking threats.
SLOVAN BRATISLAVA VS. MANCHESTER CITY MATCH STATS
Possession: Slovan Bratislava 24%-76% Manchester City
Shots: Slovan Bratislava 3-28 Manchester City
Shots on target: Slovan Bratislava 0-14 Manchester City
Corners: Slovan Bratislava 0-15 Manchester City
Fouls: Slovan Bratislava 2-8 Manchester City
BEST STATS
WHAT NEXT?
After suffering their second consecutive Champions League defeat and still searching for their first points in Europe this season, Slovan Bratislava will aim to rebound in upcoming matches against Trencin and Spartak Trnava before taking on Girona in matchday three of the competition.
Man City's comprehensive 4-0 victory means they are still yet to be beaten in 2024-25, and they will aim to extend that run to 11 matches when they face Fulham on Saturday.
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