Foden stars as Man City stroll past Slovan Bratislava

Manchester City secured their first victory in the new Champions League format with a commanding 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava. The match showcased City’s attacking prowess and provided a platform for key players to regain their form.

Phil Foden, who has been struggling to replicate his PFA Player of the Season form from last year, made a significant impact in only his second start of the season. He scored City’s second goal with a composed finish and later provided an assist for James McAtee’s goal.

The scoring opened early when Ilkay Gundogan, making his return to City after a stint at Barcelona, found the net with a deflected strike in the eighth minute. Foden doubled the lead seven minutes later, signalling a return to form for the young England midfielder.

City’s dominance was evident throughout the match, with the woodwork denying them on three occasions through Jeremy Doku, Foden, and Gundogan. Erling Haaland continued his prolific scoring run, netting his 11th goal of the season just before the hour mark with a clever finish past goalkeeper Dominik Takac.

The fourth goal came courtesy of substitute James McAtee, who scored his first for City after a clever flick from Foden. Manager Pep Guardiola expressed his delight for the 21-year-old, emphasizing the importance of making young players feel part of the team.

This victory marks City’s first in the revamped Champions League format, following their opening draw against Inter Milan. The performance was particularly encouraging given that Guardiola made six changes to the side that drew with Newcastle in their previous match.

Gundogan’s performance was noteworthy, with the 33-year-old midfielder captaining the side and potentially set for a larger role this season due to Rodri’s long-term injury. His goal and overall play demonstrated his continued value to the team.

For Slovan Bratislava, making their Champions League group stage debut after an eight-game qualifying campaign, the match was a stark reminder of the quality gap at this level. Despite a lively atmosphere and an early chance for Marko Tolic, they spent most of the game defending against City’s relentless attacks.

Guardiola acknowledged that while Foden showed improvement, he’s still not at his best, suggesting there’s more to come from the talented midfielder as the season progresses.

This comprehensive win not only puts Manchester City in a strong position in their Champions League group but also serves as a confidence boost for key players like Foden and Gundogan as they look to hit top form.