Manchester City Secure 4-0 Win Over Slovan Bratislava in Champions League
Manchester City showcased their dominance with a commanding 4-0 victory over SK Slovan Bratislava in their second group stage match of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League. Goals from Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland, and James McAtee secured the win, marking City’s first three points in the competition after a draw with Inter Milan in the opening fixture.
This article takes a closer look at the match, highlights individual performances, and discusses how the victory sets City up for future challenges.
Early Dominance: Gundogan and Foden Shine
From the very beginning, Manchester City took control of the game, asserting their attacking prowess. Ilkay Gundogan broke the deadlock just eight minutes into the match with a deflected effort that wrong-footed Slovan Bratislava’s goalkeeper, Dominik Takac. The early goal set the tone for the evening, with City dictating the pace of the game through quick passing and high pressing.
Phil Foden, who made just his second start of the season, quickly doubled City’s advantage in the 15th minute. The England international found himself in the right position and calmly slotted the ball into the net with a composed finish. Foden’s sharpness was evident as he continuously posed a threat in the attacking third, showing he is getting back to his best after a slow start to the season due to illness.
25 – Manchester City are now unbeaten in each of their last 25 UEFA Champions League games (W17 D8); the joint-longest run without defeat in European Cup/UEFA Champions history, level with Manchester United between September 2007-May 2009. Juggernaut. #UCL pic.twitter.com/7Ri8yiwXjZ
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 1, 2024
The early goals allowed City to settle into the match, controlling possession and limiting Slovan Bratislava’s opportunities to counterattack. The Slovakian side struggled to cope with City’s fluid midfield, which efficiently moved the ball from defense to attack.
Erling Haaland Continues to Make Champions League History
As the second half began, City continued to apply pressure, and it wasn’t long before Erling Haaland added his name to the scoresheet. The Norwegian striker latched onto a perfectly timed pass, slotting home his 42nd Champions League goal in the 58th minute. At just 24 years old, Haaland is quickly climbing the all-time goalscorer rankings in the competition, now just one goal shy of tying legends Alessandro Del Piero and Neymar.
Haaland’s performance was a testament to his consistency at the highest level. His physical presence, pace, and finishing ability once again proved to be too much for Slovan Bratislava’s defense to handle. Despite being heavily marked, Haaland’s instinctive movement and clinical finishing ensured City maintained a comfortable lead.
Pep Guardiola, City’s manager, has continually praised Haaland’s ability to deliver in key moments, and this performance was no different. His goal not only extended City’s lead but also further established Haaland as one of the most prolific scorers in Champions League history.
Phil Foden: The Star of the Show
Phil Foden’s performance was one of the standout stories of the match. After battling illness and missing several games at the start of the season, the 24-year-old looked back to his best. In addition to his goal, Foden played a crucial role in James McAtee’s 74th-minute strike, delicately chipping the ball into McAtee’s path for a composed finish.
Foden’s versatility and technical ability were on full display throughout the match. Whether operating in central midfield or drifting out wide, he consistently found space and created opportunities for his teammates. His ability to read the game, combined with his sharp passing, made him a constant threat.
7 – Phil Foden is one of only four players to have scored in each of the last seven UEFA Champions League campaigns (since 2018-19), along with Robert Lewandowski, Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann. Fixture. #UCL pic.twitter.com/Q5RyzLc0oC
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 1, 2024
After the match, Foden expressed his delight at being back on the pitch and contributing to the team’s success. “It’s been a slow start to the season for me, but I’m feeling good now. I had more chances to score tonight, but we’re all just happy with the win,” he told TNT Sports.
Pep Guardiola also praised Foden’s performance but noted that the young midfielder is still working his way back to full fitness. “Phil is not at his best yet, but he is getting there. His goal was fantastic, and his assist for McAtee’s goal shows how important he is to our team,” Guardiola commented.
James McAtee’s Impact and City’s Growing Depth
James McAtee, who has been gradually integrated into the first team, capitalized on his opportunity with a well-taken goal in the 74th minute. The 21-year-old midfielder, who benefited from Foden’s assist, showed composure beyond his years to seal City’s dominant win.
McAtee’s goal not only highlighted his individual talent but also demonstrated the depth of City’s squad. With key players rotating in and out of the lineup, Guardiola has the luxury of relying on young talents like McAtee to deliver when called upon.
This depth will be crucial as City navigates a congested fixture schedule in both the Premier League and Champions League. The ability to rotate key players without sacrificing quality is one of the reasons City remains a formidable force in both domestic and European competitions.
What’s Next for Manchester City?
This victory provides Manchester City with a significant boost of confidence after a challenging start to the season. With their first Champions League win in the bag, City will now shift their focus to their upcoming Premier League clash with Fulham at the Etihad Stadium.
Guardiola will be hoping that this win marks the start of a positive run of form. The team had struggled in recent weeks, failing to win or being pushed close in several matches. However, this dominant performance against Slovan Bratislava shows that City is more than capable of getting back to their best.
For Slovan Bratislava, the loss is a tough pill to swallow, but they will look to bounce back in their remaining group stage fixtures. Facing one of Europe’s elite teams was always going to be a challenging task, but their focus will now shift to securing points in their upcoming matches.
A Statement Win for Manchester City
Manchester City’s 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava was a statement of intent from Pep Guardiola’s side. With standout performances from Phil Foden, Erling Haaland, and James McAtee, City has sent a message to the rest of Europe that they are back in business.
This victory not only gives City their first three points in the Champions League but also sets them up nicely for their next fixtures. If Foden and Haaland can maintain their form, and the team continues to perform at this level, Manchester City will be a force to be reckoned with in both the Champions League and the Premier League.
This result will certainly boost their confidence heading into their upcoming games, and Guardiola will be keen to build on this momentum as they aim for European glory.
