Manchester City are widely considered to be one of the favourites to win the European Cup this seaosn, and it’s not exactly hard to see why. Their squad has a magnificent depth to it, to the point where they are probably capable of beating anyone in world football on their day. While we’re still in the early stage of this year’s Champions League campaign, City are certainly living up to the hype after registering yet another impressive win – this time against Atalanta.
Putting them to the sword
They managed to hit five past the Italian side when all was said and done, which to be expected given the trajectory of both clubs in this competition so far this season. However, Pep Guardiola will be the first man to tell you that it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for the reigning Premier League champions was Rodri went off injured and Phil Foden was shown a red card after picking up two yellows.
It was a tense first half hour or so with Atalanta knowing that they needed some kind of a result in order to give themselves hope that they can finish at least third in this group, and they actually managed to take the lead. Ruslan Malinovskyi was able to score from the penalty spot following a poor passage of play from Fernandinho.
Strong and efficient
Alas, it didn’t last particularly long, with a brace from the one and only Sergio Aguero turning the game on its head before half time. Atalanta heads dropped after surrendering the lead so quickly, and after the break, they were made to pay as a Raheem Sterling hat-trick within the space of just 11 minutes confirmed that City would be running away with all three points – and rightly so.
City will now turn their attention towards an entertaining home fixture against Aston Villa as they continue to try and chase Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table. Atalanta, on the other hand, will try and continue their strong run of form in Serie A when they host Udinese.
Match Report
Manchester City: Ederson (8), Mendy (6.5), Fernandinho (6.5), Rodrigo (6.5), Walker (7), Gundogan (7.5), De Bruyne (7.5), Sterling (10), Foden (5.5), Mahrez (7.5), Aguero (8.5), Stones (7), Cancelo (6), Otamendi (6)
Atalanta: Gollini (6), Toli (5.5), Djimsiti (6), Masiello (5.5), Castagne (5.5), Roon (6), Freuler (6), Gosens (6.5), Malinovskiy (7.5), Ilicic (6.5), Gomez (6), Hateboer (6), Pasalic (6), Muriel (6.5)
Referee: Orel Grinfeld
Goals: Aguero x2, Sterling x3 :: Malinovskiy
Yellow Cards: Foden x2, Mendy, De Bruyne, Otamendi, Masiello
Red Cards: Foden
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