There was always an outside chance that Slovan Bratislava were busy wheeling in a Trojan Horse when their manager was comparing Pep Guardiola to legendary Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi and effectively bowing in awe.
A remote possibility. The thing with those is that they very rarely materialise. Manchester City equalled the longest unbeaten record in Champions League history in the most comfortable surroundings imaginable – and could have left with double figures.
Players so at ease, so sure of the result, that in his technical area, Guardiola bristled at his midfield’s insistence on trying to score wonder goals over just picking this team apart. There was a state of ridiculousness at them all just shooting from anywhere at one point.
Very unlike City. But then this week has been a little unusual all in, right down to Slovan boss Vladimir Weiss gifting Guardiola a box of vodka on Monday evening. Hard to imagine he went for a shot of that instead of the trusty red wine back at the hotel. Satisfied without being overjoyed, you imagine. ‘We are improving,’ Guardiola said. ‘Step by step. A good night.’
Slovan had treated the evening as a real occasion and they can’t be decried for that given this is their first season in the Champions League proper.
Ilkay Gundogan scored his first goal since returning to Manchester City from Barcelona
Phil Foden doubled City’s lead in the 15th minute with a sweet strike into the bottom corner
City’s superstar Haaland scored his 11th goal of the season and his team’s third of the night
The newspapers were calling it ‘the greatest of all holidays’ for the perennial Slovak champions – who had been thumped at Celtic a fortnight previous – and locals wearing City jerseys were visible throughout. The pre-match light shows, the violinist playing Gala’s Freed from Desire and Weiss being presented with a commemorative shirt for his 60th birthday made this feel like a national celebration, not a potentially dry group stage match.
The tifo unfurled by Slovan’s Ultras behind one goal had initially appeared menacing, by scratching a cross through the four sides they’d knocked out in qualifying, although that message was diluted somewhat given the main aspect of the display depicted Beth Harmon, the chess prodigy from the Queen’s Gambit for reasons unknown. The Netflix series seems to have no connection with Slovakia.
Regardless, checkmate came within 15 minutes. Ilkay Gundogan had already volleyed in, via a deflection, before Jeremy Doku sauntered into the home box, slid for Phil Foden and City’s second goal glided its way into the far corner.
A big moment for Foden, whose season so far has been beset by illness. He’d not been great against Watford on a first start last week but Guardiola has been willing to give the PFA Player of the Year time to find his feet. This resembled a decent exercise, stinging another effort against the post after Doku had done similar.
For Gundogan, a first goal since returning from Barcelona on a free transfer after Guardiola described his performance at Newcastle as one of the worst he’d witnessed. And a reintroduction to his old captain’s armband in the absence of the other five in City’s leadership group.
Their collective omissions – injuries, rest – told of how Guardiola could delve into his reserve of quality without fearing reprisals. In fact, City looked at their most vulnerable during their own corners – so many pored forward that Slovan could break into wide open space, with Marko Tolic firing wide.
City’s 38 first-half attacks played Slovan’s one. Guardiola had complained that the build-up to this, with all the compliments and lavish praise coming from the other direction, had resembled a friendly. In truth, it turned out to be a training session. One Rico Lewis ran – again.
‘The way Rico is playing… there are no words,’ Guardiola said. ‘He does everything. Making assists, defensively strong, small pockets – so good. He is playing at the highest level.’
City’s 21-year-old star James McAtee scored his first goal for the club late in the match
Pep Guardiola’s side was largely untroubled by Slovan Bratislava for the entire contest
City’s win was their first of the new-look Champions League campaign after a draw with Inter
There have been tougher nights on this 25-match run without losing in Europe – penalty defeats aren’t officially recorded – and another positive result against Sparta Prague will see them eclipse United’s record, set in 2009. Guardiola actually halted that sequence himself when winning the final with Barcelona in Rome.
City will fancy it to go on a little while longer, this absolutely wrapped up 13 minutes after the break when Erling Haaland – who must have been doused in Polyfilla to patch up his ankles after chunks were removed at Newcastle a few days ago – stretched his legs. In behind and racing clear to meet an incisive Lewis pass, he darted past Dominik Takac and finished the rest.
With that, he went one clear of Sergio Aguero’s Champions League record. Forty-two goals in 41 games and Guardiola quickly whisked him off for James McAtee. A rare chance to shine and shine the youngster did, taking Foden’s bounced pass and half-volleying home with 16 minutes left – his first goal for the club.
