Manchester City delivered a commanding performance in their 4-0 victory over Slovan Bratislava in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, and Rico Lewis were instrumental in the win, with Foden rediscovering his best form after a relatively quiet start to the season. This game was an ideal platform for him to showcase his immense talent, contributing both a goal and an assist. The victory reaffirmed City’s superiority and underlined their intent in this season’s competition.
From the onset, City took control of the game, dominating possession and creating numerous chances. Although Slovan Bratislava briefly threatened with a counterattack early in the match, Manchester City quickly asserted their dominance. The Premier League champions opened the scoring just eight minutes into the game, when Ilkay Gundogan pounced on a deflected shot, slotting the ball into the net. Jeremy Doku played a key role in the build-up, as his cross initiated the attack that led to the goal.
Doku was electric on the right wing throughout the game, using his blistering pace to torment the Bratislava defense. He was involved again just minutes after the opening goal, finding Foden in space with a precise pass. Foden calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner, doubling City’s lead. It was a moment of brilliance from Foden, who had been looking for an opportunity to make his mark after a subdued start to the season. His movement and awareness were exceptional, positioning himself perfectly to take advantage of Doku’s delivery.
As the first half progressed, City continued to pile pressure on Slovan Bratislava, with goalkeeper Dominik Takac doing well to prevent further damage. Despite the Slovakian side’s efforts, City was relentless, creating several chances and keeping Bratislava pinned back in their own half. Although they were unable to add to their lead before halftime, City looked in complete control, and it was only a matter of time before they found the back of the net again.
The second half saw more of the same, with City controlling possession and creating opportunities. Slovan Bratislava struggled to get out of their own half, and their defense eventually cracked under pressure once more. Just before the hour mark, Rico Lewis, who had been impressive throughout the match, played a perfectly weighted pass to Erling Haaland. Although Haaland had been relatively quiet up to that point, he made no mistake when the opportunity presented itself. The Norwegian striker capitalized on some poor defending by the Bratislava backline and calmly slotted the ball into the net to make it 3-0.
Haaland’s goal came as no surprise, as his ability to exploit even the slightest defensive lapse is well-known. Despite not being as involved in the game as some of his teammates, he maintained his composure and took his chance when it came. The goal further solidified City’s dominance and put the game beyond doubt.
City’s fluid attacking play continued to cause problems for Slovan Bratislava, and they soon added a fourth goal. This time, it was James McAtee who got on the scoresheet, netting his first senior goal for Manchester City. Foden, once again at the heart of the action, provided the assist with a delicate chip over the Bratislava defense, allowing McAtee to roll the ball into the net. It was a moment to savor for the young midfielder, who had come on as a substitute for Haaland.
Pep Guardiola’s side continued to press for more goals, taking a total of 25 shots during the match, with 13 of those on target. Despite their overwhelming dominance, they were unable to add to their tally in the final stages of the game. Nevertheless, it was a comprehensive victory for Manchester City, who looked comfortable from start to finish.
Player Ratings
Goalkeeper & Defense:
- Stefan Ortega (5/10): Ortega had very little to do throughout the match, as Slovan Bratislava only managed two shots, both of which missed the target. His role was limited due to City’s dominance in possession, but he did what was required of him when called upon.
- Rico Lewis (8/10): One of the standout performers, Lewis was instrumental in City’s attacking play down the right flank. He provided an assist for Haaland’s goal and was tireless in his movement up and down the field. His work ethic and ability to win the ball in midfield helped City maintain their dominance, and he consistently caused problems for the Bratislava defense with his forward runs.
- Manuel Akanji (6/10): Akanji had a solid, if unspectacular, performance in defense. He was rarely troubled by Bratislava’s attack and was comfortable in possession, helping City build from the back. His partnership with John Stones ensured that City’s backline remained organized and disciplined.
- John Stones (7/10): Stones was another key figure in City’s defense, particularly with his excellent distribution from the back. His passing was precise and often initiated attacking moves, and he dealt with Bratislava’s limited offensive threat effectively. Stones’ composure at the back was crucial in maintaining City’s control of the game.
- Josko Gvardiol (7/10): Gvardiol put in a solid defensive display, making several important tackles and interceptions. His physical presence and ability to read the game helped keep Bratislava at bay, and he was also effective in joining City’s attacks when needed.
Midfield:
- Matheus Nunes (6/10): Nunes made some promising forward runs and contributed with accurate passing in midfield. Although he was not as influential as some of his teammates, he provided energy and support in the middle of the park, helping City maintain their fluidity in possession.
- Ilkay Gundogan (7/10): The German midfielder opened the scoring with a deflected shot early in the game and was a key presence in City’s midfield. He controlled the tempo of the game and came close to adding a second goal when he hit the woodwork. His experience and composure were evident throughout the match.
- Phil Foden (8/10): Foden was one of City’s best players, constantly finding space and making himself available for passes. He scored City’s second goal and provided an assist for McAtee’s goal later in the game. His movement and creativity were crucial in breaking down Bratislava’s defense, and this performance marked a return to form for the England international.
Attack:
- Jeremy Doku (8/10): Doku was a constant threat down the right wing, using his pace and dribbling skills to create numerous chances. He was involved in the build-up to the first two goals and nearly scored himself, hitting the woodwork with a powerful effort. His ability to stretch the Bratislava defense created space for his teammates and made him one of City’s most dangerous players on the night.
- Savinho (6/10): Playing on the left wing, Savinho gave the Bratislava defense plenty to think about, but he struggled to create any clear-cut chances. His pace and direct running were useful in pushing City forward, but he was less effective than Doku in the final third.
- Erling Haaland (6/10): Haaland had a relatively quiet night by his standards, but he still managed to get on the scoresheet. His goal came after some poor defending from Bratislava, and he made no mistake with the finish. Although he was not heavily involved in the game, Haaland’s ability to capitalize on defensive errors remains one of his greatest strengths.
Substitutes:
- James McAtee (7/10): McAtee looked lively after replacing Haaland and capped his performance with a goal, his first for the senior team. His movement and composure in front of goal were impressive, and he will be pleased to have made such a positive impact off the bench.
- Ruben Dias (5/10): Dias came on late in the game and had little to do defensively, as City were already cruising by the time he entered the field.
- Jack Grealish (5/10): Grealish had limited time to make an impact, coming on for the final 10 minutes of the match. He saw little of the ball and was unable to influence proceedings in the short time he was on the pitch.
- Kyle Walker (6/10): Walker replaced Lewis and got involved in City’s attacking play down the right side. He had a long-range shot saved but otherwise had a quiet outing.
Manager:
- Pep Guardiola (7/10): Guardiola will be pleased with his team’s performance, although he may feel that City could have scored more given their dominance. With 25 shots and 13 on target, City created enough chances to win by a much larger margin. However, the 4-0 victory was comfortable, and Guardiola can take satisfaction in the fact that his team never looked in danger at any point during the match.
