Manchester City Player Ratings: 4-0 Champions League Victory Over Slovan Bratislava
Manchester City proved too strong for Slovan Bratislava, securing their first win in this season’s Champions League campaign. Coming off a draw against Inter, Pep Guardiola’s side knew they needed a dominant result, especially with goal difference playing a potentially crucial role under the new league table format.
Early goals from Ilkay Gundogan and Phil Foden set City on the right track, but it wasn’t until the second half that Erling Haaland and James McAtee sealed the deal, ensuring a comfortable 4-0 win. Here’s how the players performed:
Ortega: Had a quiet night between the sticks, but remained focused and composed to prevent any potential threats from escalating. Did exactly what was expected. Rating: 7
Rico Lewis: Showed great maturity in the second half by stepping up to assist Haaland’s goal, recovering well from some shaky moments earlier. Rating: 8
John Stones: Looked comfortable in his third start of the season, contributing both defensively and offensively, especially as the game progressed. Rating: 7
Manuel Akanji: A few misplaced passes created some unnecessary danger, but otherwise handled his duties well as part of City’s back three. Rating: 7
Josko Gvardiol: Commanding in the air and smooth when pushing forward, he provided a reliable defensive presence while also supporting the attack. Rating: 7
Ilkay Gundogan: Scored the crucial opener but took a bit of time to fully settle into the game, leading to some frustration from Guardiola on the sidelines. Rating: 6
Matheus Nunes: Showed flashes of quality but was inconsistent, sometimes losing possession in situations where he should have done better. Rating: 6
Phil Foden: Not yet at his peak form, but still made a significant impact with a goal and a brilliant assist for McAtee’s strike. Never shied away from involvement. Rating: 8
Jeremy Doku: Consistently beat his man on the wing but lacked the final product to convert those moments into clear chances, apart from one shot that rattled the bar. Rating: 6
Savinho: Struggled to get involved with most of the play happening on the opposite flank, though he moved up front in the later stages. Rating: 6
Erling Haaland: Had minimal service in the first half, but displayed his trademark intelligence to find space and secure a goal in the second. Rating: 7
Substitutes:
James McAtee (for Haaland, 60’): Scored his first goal for City with a composed finish. Rating: 7
Ruben Dias (for Akanji, 60’): Helped solidify the backline, allowing the team to push forward with confidence. Rating: 7
Jack Grealish (for Foden, 78’): Got involved in some late attacks but didn’t have much time to influence the game.
Kyle Walker (for Gvardiol, 78’): Came on late with little to do as City cruised to victory.
Not used: Ederson, Carson, Silva, Kovacic
With this convincing win, Manchester City move ahead in their Champions League group, delivering a performance that balanced key moments of brilliance with a controlled defensive display.
