“Aguero is one of the best, he has a special quality in the box. He is a special, special player”, Pep Guardiola – 14/09/2016.
Goals; Aguero(9', 28' pen, 77'), Iheanacho (90'+1);
Line Up (4-1-4-1) (match ratings in brackets);
Bravo (7)
Zabaleta (c) (6)
Otamendi (7)
Kolorav (7.5)
Stones (6.5)
Fernandinho (7)
Sterling (8), (Sane (7) 79' )
Gundogan (8.5), (Clichy (5.5) 81')
Aguero (9), (Iheanacho (7) 83')
De Bruyne (7.5)
Navas (6)
Stats;Possession, 56%/44%; Shots, 23(11)/3(1); Fouls, 8/14
Referee; Björn Kuipers (4.5)
Line Up (4-1-4-1) (match ratings in brackets);
Bravo (7)
Zabaleta (c) (6)
Otamendi (7)
Kolorav (7.5)
Stones (6.5)
Fernandinho (7)
Sterling (8), (Sane (7) 79' )
Gundogan (8.5), (Clichy (5.5) 81')
Aguero (9), (Iheanacho (7) 83')
De Bruyne (7.5)
Navas (6)
Stats;Possession, 56%/44%; Shots, 23(11)/3(1); Fouls, 8/14
Referee; Björn Kuipers (4.5)
Groups of death, warm balls, boos, and some dodgy pre-match ‘banter’ between club twitter pages. Ah yes the "Champions" League was back (after slight delay, the fans having had a day longer to soak up the derby win from Saturday, and the pitch to soak up the rain).
City welcomed back the familiar faces of Borussia Monchengladbach having made a few changes to the side that beat Trafford at the weekend. Navas, Zabaleta, Aguero, and perhaps most excitingly, Gundogan (being given his first start for the blues after his injury lay off, with his missing only 4 weeks in the end).
The extra day’s rest seemed to produce an impatient ruthlessness from Pep’s men, pressing on the front foot from the off. This early aggression paying off within the first 9 minutes as the rejuvenated Roberto Carlo... I mean Kolarov receiving the ball on the left wing from Raheem and releasing a driven cross along the six yard box, and Aguero eating up the chance by nipping in at the front post, past Chelsea loanee defender Christensen, to poke the ball passed a helpless Sommer. 1-0. Sergio was licking his lips.
The chances kept coming, Gundogan seamlessly filling in for the rested Merlin, finding pockets of space between the lines, linking effortlessly with De Bruyne, while showing a tenacity to win back the ball. His efforts almost being rewarded with a debut goal but for the keeper. That’s how you make a first impression, and all for the price of Pogba’s agent.
'Gladbach showed glimpses of counter attacking intent, until leaving themselves vulnerable to one of City's quick breaks ended up with Gundogan being brought down in the box. Penalty. Who else but that man Sergio, ice in his veins, Sommer sent the wrong way. 2-0.
Half time approached and other than a nicely worked Gladbach corner where Bravo was called into action to make good low save. City were cruising, peppering the German side’s goal.
The second half continued in similar fashion; Sterling, KDB, and Gundogan causing the back five of Gladbach all sorts of headaches with their movement and speed of intricate passing. It was an exhibition of the highest order and you couldn’t help but watch on in awe. If anyone still needed convincing of Sterling’s revitalization under Pep, he flicked another set of V’s up at the media, turning on a sixpence in the centre of midfield and threading an eye of the needle pass through to Aguero. The Argentine crowning the move with a sublime touch around the goal keeper to slot the ball into an open net. Hat-trick Kun, 9 goals in 5 games for the Best centre forward in the world.
With stoppage time remaining Kun received the standing ovation he deserved as he made way for Kelechi on 83’. Who just couldn't help but join the party... Sane danced past three helpless defenders to pull the ball back to the Nigerian who needed one touch to unleash a ferocious strike to put the icing on the cake. 4-0.
Pep had said that 'Gladbach could be the hardest match of the year for City. If true, we could be in for a hell of a season... too early to book those hotels in Cardiff?
@PatrickElano
@PatrickElano
