James McAtee’s first international win for Manchester City against Slovan Bratislava | Champions League

There were hints here of how Manchester City could struggle in Rodri’s absence, as they struggled to exert the control that their number 6 often brings. Nevertheless, Pep Guardiola’s men cruised to a 4-0 victory, James McAtee’s 73rd-minute strike the last of those goals, a first in club colors and sealing City’s opening victory in this 36-team league phase.

Guardiola opted for Ilkay Gündogan and Matheus Nunes in central midfield to fill the Rodri gap, but City were able to release the ball cheaply in the Slovan Bratislava penalty area and be open to attack: two problems that the Spaniard’s presence often hampers .

The arch-strategist Guardiola also noticed this and will certainly remedy the situation. But for now he will be happy with a win that came in a place full of emotion, as this was the first time a Champions League game had been played.

After an extensive light show with an impressive baritone singing a club anthem during which Slovak flags were raised to thunderous applause, the real action began with a Slovak counter, the classic way to break up City.

Jérémy Doku secured a corner, which Gündogan directed inwards from the right. Vladimir Weiss’s team defended and as Phil Foden chased down the manager’s son, also Vladimir Weiss, he received the ball. As he watched from the touchline, Guardiola winced as Weiss beat City’s number 10 and passed the ball to Marko Tolic steered, who missed.

The home fans were thrilled by that, but not by what followed – the opening goal. City repeatedly cut the ball off, creating opportunities for Erling Haaland, who advanced down the left, and then for a flying scissor kick from Savinho. The latter was blocked, the ball bounced to Gündogan, who was lurking outside Slovan’s penalty area, and his shot went over Kyriakos Savvidis past the helpless goalkeeper Dominik Takac.

Weiss Jnr, captain of Slovan, and Weiss Snr exchanged a few words, but their team soon found themselves trailing 2-0. As Slovan’s first foray beyond the qualifying rounds, this was described as a mismatch. Foden, starting for the first time this season against the Slovakian champions of the last six years, showed why that was the case by firing a confident finish into the bottom corner thanks to a pass from Doku.

In a switch typical of Guardiola’s ever-active football brain, Doku operated on the right and Savinho on the left: an initial attack designed to eliminate the opponent, and which yielded several corners and a series of halving moves. Rico Lewis and Doku combined on the right-back’s shot, Takac parried, and then the winger saw an effort hit the left post.

This had become an attacking exercise for City. A Foden attempt was parried onto the post by Takac and Slovan escaped again, while the drummer behind goalkeeper Slovan’s goal led Tifosi in endless chants that created a celebratory atmosphere despite the score. However, Guardiola was not happy with City’s sloppiness, in which Foden was the main culprit, such as when he lost the ball and forced Haaland to gallop back to help him while the manager turned around and berated his coaching staff about it.

Foden also shot the ball wide when Haaland was available, but failed when he tried to continue a move involving Josko Gvardiol and Lewis. But the No. 47’s rust didn’t matter as long as City continued to investigate. Gündogan next shot into the goal frame from 19 meters away, but the crossbar denied the visiting captain his second goal, as these first 45 minutes ended as they had begun: City tormented the hosts and drummed incessantly.

Keeping possession of the ball against City is difficult due to the ruthlessness of their numbers-based pressing. So it was criminal that Cesar Blackman missed the chance to do so by spearing a wild crossfield ball and Kevin Wimmer failed to stop it going out.

Guardiola also noticed the same thing in his men’s continued vulnerability to transitions, which pointed to Rodri’s absence as City were not always the usual efficient unit that could move Slovan over longer transitions.

The problem eased when relief came and the kind of pause that worried the Catalan followed. One moment Tigran Barseghyan fired near the City goal, the next Haaland charged at Lewis’ pass, rounded Takac and coolly shot to make it 3-0, sealing the Norwegian’s decision. Shortly afterwards he was replaced by James McAtee, and Rúben Dias came on for Manuel Akanji, the defender who took over from Gündogan.

As a competition, the game was over. The remaining uncertainties were about how many goals City could score and whether the Slovaks could get a consolation goal.

McAtee’s unforgettable goal came from a pass from Foden and was a skillfully executed shot into the bottom corner.