Manchester City ease past Galatasaray to seal Champions League last 16 spot | OneFootball

Manchester City cruise past Galatasaray in Champions League

Manchester City booked their place in the last 16 with a composed and authoritative performance against Galatasaray, easing the anxiety created by last week’s surprise setback at Bodo/Glimt. Pep Guardiola’s side responded with clarity and control, dictating tempo and territory from the outset.

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First-half control

City should have led inside three minutes when Erling Haaland headed Rayan Ait-Nouri’s pinpoint cross wide from close range. The striker quickly corrected that lapse, timing his run onto Jeremy Doku’s through ball and lifting a delicate finish over Ugurcan Cakir to end his barren run in open play.

Doku influence

Doku was central to everything positive. After Nico O’Reilly’s long-range effort was tipped over, the winger teed up Rayan Cherki to smash home a second on the half-hour. Having assisted both goals, Doku was forced off on 37 minutes.

Goalkeeping resistance

Galatasaray threatened through Victor Osimhen, but Gianluigi Donnarumma denied both a flicked header and a low drive, preserving City’s comfortable margin.