Erling Haaland contributed to Manchester City is easy 4-0 victory in the second leg of the Champions League, early morning 2/10. The Citizens also equaled MU’s record of 25 consecutive unbeaten matches in European Cup
The away match against the “underdog” team Slovan was an opportunity for coach Pep Guardiola to rotate the squad. Ortega replaced Ederson in goal, Dias was rested and replaced by John Stones to pair with Akanji in central defense.
In midfield, Matheus Nunes was used instead of Kovacic alongside Gundogan. Phil Foden played in the attacking position for Erling Haaland, while the two wings of the attack belonged to Doku vs Savinho.
When the home fans were not yet warm, they almost enjoyed the joy when Tolic finished the ball close to the Manchester City post.
The English champions responded fiercely in the 8th minute. Doku tried to cross the ball into the penalty area, Savinho volleyed it into an opponent’s body and bounced out. Gundogan immediately kicked the ball into the net, hitting another home player.
Continuing to win, Manchester City doubled the gap just 7 minutes later. Foden coordinated with Doku and then launched a left-footed shot, pinning the ball to the far corner, leaving goalkeeper Dominik Takac helpless.
Despite scoring 2 goals, it must be said that the away team was unlucky when the ball hit the post and crossbar 3 times from the finishes of Doku, Foden and captain Gundogan.
After many efforts, Erling Haaland finally got his first goal in the Champions League this season. In the 58th minute, the Norwegian striker escaped to receive a through ball from Rico Lewis, easily getting past goalkeeper Slovan before putting the ball into the empty net. Haaland has 42 goals in 41 appearances in the Champions League.
The match was decided in the 74th minute when Haaland’s replacement McAtee received a pass from Foden and fired a powerful shot into the near corner, sealing a 4-0 victory for Manchester City.
With the victory in Slovakia, The Citizens have equalled MU’s record of 25 consecutive unbeaten matches (17 wins, 8 draws) in the European Cup. This is also the 10th unbeaten match for Pep Guardiola’s team since the beginning of the season, including 6 wins.
Goals: Gundogan 8′; Foden 15′; Haaland 58′; McAtee 74′
Starting lineup:
Slovan Bratislava (4-2-3-1):
Dominik Takac, Cesar Blackman, Guram Kashia, Kenan Bajric, Kevin Wimmer, Kyriakos Savvidis, Danylo Ignatenko (Szoke 63′), Tigran Barseghyan, Marko Tolic (Pauschek 78′), Vladimir Weiss (Sharani 63′), David Strelec (Marcelli 78′).
Man City (4-2-3-1):
Stefan Ortega, Rico Lewis, Manuel Akanji (Dias 61′), John Stones, Josko Gvardiol (Walker 78′), Matheus Nunes, İlkay Gundogan, Savinho, Phil Foden (Grealish 78′), Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland (McAtee 61′).
Premier League table
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