City beat Slovenia’s Bratislava to claim first Champions League win 24/25

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City easily met their second opponent of the 24/25 Champions League campaign, Slovenia’s Bratislava.

HOW IT WAS

City took to the field at the National Stadium in Bratislava, Slovakia, much changed from the team that drew Newcastle last Saturday. Pep Guardiola he made six changes to the team: Ederson, Walker, Rúben Dias, Kovacic, Grealish and Bernardo Silva, who gave way to Ortega Moreno, StonesNow, SavinhoPhil Foden e Jeremy Doku.

In front of 30,000 people, City began to control possession and take the initiative, but the home team had the first chance, in a good counter after only a minute, which ended with a shot close to Marko Amadán’s post. Soon after, the team Pep Guardiola he already responded, in a good triangulation involving Doku, Foden and Haaland, who shot with his wide right foot.

Playing in their burgundy uniform, Manchester City continued to dictate the pace of the game in the following minutes, and it did not take long to take advantage of their superiority on the scoreboard. In the eighth minute, Doku received the ball deep on the right and tried to cross. The Brazilian tried the shot, the defense pushed away, but Ilkay Gundoganfrom the edge of the area, hit a beautiful shot for the first time, deflected from the Bratislava defense and hit the goalkeeper Takác. Number 19’s first goal since returning to City!

Even at a disadvantage, Bratislava continued to rely on counterattacks, but without hindering the visitors too much. Comfortable on the pitch, City continued to exchange their passes naturally, and in the 15th minute they increased the score with a beautiful goal from Phil Foden. Shirt number 47 received a sweet pass from Jeremy Dokuinside the area, and he finished consciously, with his left foot, into the corner of the net, with no chance for the goalkeeper. Two to nil for City and three points very well done.

In the 16th minute, Haaland almost left his goal, but Takac was alert to prevent City’s third goal of the game and the Norwegian centre-back’s first in the current edition of the Serie A the champions. The pressure continued, with City taunting the hosts and gaining 84% possession in the first 20 minutes of the game. Popular Jeremy Doku very active and often used on the right, the number 11 was one of the best on the pitch, and almost scored our third in the 23rd minute, but the post was there to prevent​​​​ on what would be a fantastic left-footed goal from our Belgian striker.

Then, Phil Foden stopped Takac’s goal and the post, when he shot with his left foot after invading the opponent’s area. With five successful shots in half an hour of play in Slovakia, City stayed hungry and hungry to score a third goal. In the 31st minute, Phil Foden drew a quick counterattack and sent Jeremy Doku. The number 11 swaggered, dribbled past the defenders and hit a cross, but Erling Haaland arrived late and was unable to divert the ball into the Bratislava net.

At 35 minutes, another attempt by the team to Pep Guardiola. Foden received the ball outside the area, adjusted it carefully and finished with his left foot, but the ball went wide of the goal which was defended by Dominic Takác. In the next moment, Savinho he warmed up the gloves of the Bratislava goalkeeper again, and in the 38th minute of the first half the post saved the home team again. Gundogan He struck beautifully from distance, but the ball neatly hit the crossbar, keeping the score at 2-0 for Manchester City.

Almost at the end of the first stage, Savinho he crossed from the left, was cleared by the defense and Phil Foden beat it firmly, but over the Slovakian goal. Despite massive excellence, 11 shots, 344 passes and 89% accuracy, the first half ended 2-0 to the Blues, with a goal from Gundogan and the Foot.

THE SECOND HALF

The final phase began with City going forward and putting pressure on the Bratislava defence. After 48 minutes, Jeremy Doku he got Rick Lewis within the area. The number 82 was in control and shot firmly with his right foot, but Takac, who was in high demand in the game, made a great save. Three minutes later, Lewis entered the area at speed, tried to dribble, was brought down and asked for a penalty, but the referee understood it as a normal move.

In the 52nd minute, another good move from the visitors. Haaland received a good cross inside the area, he rose beautifully, but his header went to the right of the hosts’ goal. No goals from our number 9, but not for long. In the 57th minute, Bratislava’s defense gave a little space, and Cometa of Norway succeeded. Rick Lewis he saw the progress of our attacker, made a beautiful deep pass, and Haaland had only to dribble past the goalkeeper and gently push the ball into the net.

With 3-0 on the scoreboard and a controlled duel, Gardaiola some substitutions were made to renew the team and preserve some athletes. On 61 minutes, Erling Haaland and Akanji left for the entrances of the James McAte and Ruben Dias. Even with the changes, City did not reduce their momentum on the pitch at the National Stadium in Bratislava and continued to attack the home team, which posed little threat to the goal saved by Ortega Moreno. At 68 minutes, statistics showed 20 shots from Manchester City, compared to three shots from Bratislava.

And it didn’t take long to get the fourth goal, in the 73rd minute. In beautiful company, Rick Lewis he quickly scored with Phil Foden and the number 47 made a great pass for James McAtethat was not wasted. The goalkeeper, our number 87 and a youth base player as well, was trying to fill the rope of Takac, who was unable to do anything. Soon after, McAtee almost scored City’s fifth of the game, which required a brilliant intervention from the Bratislava goalkeeper, who was largely responsible for the scoreline not being even more elastic in the Slovakian capital.

Shortly after, Pep changed the team a little more, adding Kyle Walker and Jack Grealish to the starting positions. If Guardiol and Phil Foden, one of City’s highlights in the game, with a goal and an assist at the National Stadium in Bratislava. Even with the representatives, the team Gardaiola still dominant on the pitch, and almost scored his fifth goal in the 81st minute, with a header from John Stones to run stubbornly close to the crossbar.

The game continued and so did City’s juggernaut. At 85, Gundogan He hit hard with his left foot, already inside the area, but the wall Takac again made a beautiful save, with a clear reflex move, avoiding the German midfielder’s second goal. Who also stopped the good goalkeeper of Bratislava was John Stoneswho headed in style in the next minute, but Takac saved the home team again, preventing an even bigger defeat in favor of Manchester City.

And that’s how the duel ended. Four to zero for those who are led Pep Guardiolafirst win in the 2024-25 Champions League and a big performance in Slovakia.

HOW IS IT

After securing their first win in the current Champions League, City now have four points in the competition and move up to 4th in the table, tied on points with Sparta Prague, Inter Milan and Arsenal. Borussia Dortmund, Brest, from France, and Bayern Leverkusen lead the Champions League, with six points from two games. The second round will still be completed this Wednesday, October 2.

PERMISSION TO ADVANCE

City now turn their attention back to the Premier League. Next Saturday (05), the teams Pep Guardiola hosted Fulham, at the Etihad Stadium, in a match valid for the 7th round of the English Championship. With 14 points and in second place, the Blues need all three points, after two consecutive draws, against Arsenal and Newcastle. Fulham are in 6th place, with 11 points from six games. The ball rolls at 3pm (Portugal), 11am (Brazilian time). As for the Champions League, the next challenge is on 10/23 (Wednesday), at home, against Sparta Prague, from the Czech Republic.

lineups

BRATISLAVA SLAV: Takac, Kashia, Wimmer, Weiss (C), Tolic, Barseghyan, Bajric, Strelec, Blackman, Ihnatenko and Savvidis.

Reserves: Trnovsky, Hrdina, Voet, Medvedev, Marcelli, Mustafic, Mak, Zuberu, Pauschek, Gajdos, Szoke, Metsoko

Subs: Ederson, Carson, Walker, Dias, Kovacic, Grealish, Bernardo Silva and McAtee.

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