Phil Foden played a starring role as Manchester City claimed a comfortable 4-0 victory over Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League.
Ilkay Gundogan and Foden scored in the first fifteen minutes to put City ahead in the Slovak city, and the scoreline did nothing to reflect the visitors’ domination.
Prior to James McAtee scoring the team’s first goal, Erling Haaland scored his 42nd Champions League goal in 41 games.
In the competition’s new format, the English champions are off to a strong start after a shaky start to their European campaign in a 0-0 draw at home to Inter Milan on matchday one.
Guardiola has eased Foden’s return to action following his efforts during England’s journey to the Euro 2024 final and his illness during the first few weeks of the campaign.
Due to injuries preventing Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri from playing, the 24-year-old’s outstanding play last season earned him honours for Premier League Player of the Year. His return to form is a welcome boost.
Slovan had already had a 5-1 beating at Celtic in their first game, and the 2023 victors taught them another lesson.
However, the gap between the two teams was evident from the first few minutes, so Guardiola did not need to be at the top of his creative game to devise a winning strategy.
Guardiola could even afford to make six changes from the team that played on Saturday and drew 1-1 with Newcastle.
With his first goal since arriving from Barcelona, Gundogan let loose.
The night’s most potent shot from the area’s fringe was deflected into the upper corner by the City captain.
On fifteen minutes, Foden curled home City’s second goal into the bottom corner with characteristic accuracy.
Luck and the woodwork combined to keep the score low, but even before halftime, the visitors could have been ahead by more.
Before Foden’s low shot was deflected onto the post by Bratislava goalie Dominik Takac, Jeremy Doku curled one attempt onto the crossbar.
Subsequently, Gundogan became the third City player to be denied as the German’s thunderous shot struck the bar again.
A goal from Haaland was the one thing missing from City’s impressive first-half performance.
It materialised in the 58th minute, as the Norwegian effortlessly capitalised on a cross from Rico Lewis to round the keeper and score his 11th goal of the season in just eight games.
Even though Guardiola was able to offer Haaland a rare break in the last minutes, City increased their lead.
McAtee gave Foden’s clever through ball the finish it deserved.
