Match Report and Player Ratings: SK Slovan Bratislava 0-4 Manchester City (UEFA Champions League) | OneFootball

Manchester City romped to their first UEFA Champions League win of the season on Tuesday night, thumping Slovan Bratislava by 0-4 at Tehelne pole in Slovakia.

In one of the easier first halves the Blues have had in some time, Ilkay Gundogan got his first goal since returning to the club inside the opening 10 minutes, and Phil Foden notched his first of the season with a lovely curler.

The second half in Slovakia was even more of a procession and Manchester City added further goals through Erling Haaland and a first for the club for James McAtee, as they strolled to victory.

There was early encouragement for the home fans when a City corner became a Bratislava counter-attack which ended in Tigran Barseghyan fizzing a low effort just wide of the far post, although a moment later Haaland went close to remind the Slovakians of the task facing them.

It wasn’t a warning which the hosts heeded though, as Gundogan soon gave Manchester City the lead, picking up the pieces from a blocked Savinho volley to hit an effort on the bounce of his own and see it deflect in off Kyriakos Savvidis.

It was soon two, and it was beginning to look like it could be a bloodbath with the ease in which City were finding dismantling their opponents; Jeremy Doku found space for the umpteenth time in the opening 15 minutes and played it inside to Foden, who made it look ridiculously easy as he rolled his shot accurately into the bottom corner.

Doku was relentless in tormenting the Slovan defence, teeing up Rico Lewis for a shot which was saved by Dominik Takac, before curling his own effort off the crossbar. City were obviously fond of the woodwork at that point as Foden soon hit post via a flick from Takac, and Gundogan also struck the bar five minutes from the break.

The half-time break did nothing to dull Doku’s threat, as the Belgian started the second period in just as threatening fashion as he spent the first, laying off Lewis for a shot which Takac had to beat away.

For all City’s dominance, it had been a quiet night for Haaland, and he was again off target as he couldn’t connect properly with his header from a nice flighted cross from Matheus Nunes – he wasn’t to be denied for long though.

Rico Lewis popped up in the middle and saw the Norwegian advancing with absolutely nobody near him – Lewis’ pass was perfect, and the big man rounded Takac and conclude his hour of work as he was duly substituted.

It had the feeling of a testimonial from there with the Blues knocking it around easily and eventually adding a fourth, as nice linkup from Lewis and Foden allowed James McAtee in to lash home his first Manchester City goal.

City continued to probe for more goals from there, but it had been clear for some time that there was only going to be one winner in this game, and you have to give the hosts credit for keeping it to just four.

The Blues will be grateful for the easy midweek runout here, and they return to Premier League action on Saturday against Fulham at the Etihad!

Player Ratings

Starting XI

Stefan Ortega – 7

Surely the easiest game of his Manchester City career? No shots on target to face, and accomplished his sweeping duties with minimal fuss.

Manuel Akanji – 7.5

As will go for the whole backline, there’s only so much you can say for the defenders on a night when they had very little defending to do. Manuel Akanji brought the ball out from the back with his usual confidence.

John Stones – 7.5

Similarly at ease in his ball-playing, not needing to move into his midfield role to influence proceedings. Had one or two scoring chances from corners too.

Josko Gvardiol – 7

Not quite as accurate with his passing as his fellow defenders, but posed a threat with his overlapping on the left.

Rico Lewis – 8.5 (MOTM)

Had such joy playing in whatever pockets he could find that had space for him, most notably when he played in Erling Haaland for his goal. Classy operator.

Ilkay Gundogan – 7.5

Still struggling a little to be in the right place for second balls, which was always his bread and butter in his first spell at the club, but he was much improved on the ball from Newcastle on Saturday and notched his first goal since his return.

Matheus Nunes – 6.5

Clearly keen to impress and as such had a few moments where he snatched at his opportunities. Should have had an assist for Erling Haaland in one of his better moments.

Phil Foden – 8

Continued from his vibrant cameo at the weekend with an all-action showing. Caused a lot of damage between the lines and scored beautifully.

Jeremy Doku – 8.5

Exactly his kind of game, with so much space to run at players and turn them inside out. Created all sorts of chances.

Erling Haaland – 7

He’s used to being kept uninvolved for long stretches and having to stay alert for anything that comes his way, and after a couple of sighters, he did the job on his third opening.

Savinho – 7

Didn’t have much license to impress such was Manchester City’s focus on Jeremy Doku down the right, but made the right decisions when he was and tracked back manfully.

Substitutes

Ruben Dias – 6.5

Continued the backline’s professional discipline in moving the ball around.

James McAtee – 7

Grabbed his first goal for the club with a strong finish, and could have had another as he looked dangerous.

Kyle Walker – N/A

Jack Grealish – N/A