Manchester City eased past the German side Borussia Monchengladbach 4-0 in the Group C Champions League encounter to hand the new boss Pep Guardiola his first group game win for the English giants. Borussia Monchengladbach is one of the few teams that managed to give the Catalan manager few headaches during his stint with the German side Bayern Munich. Guardiola failed to register a win against Die Fohlen in his previous four meetings with the German team. (Manchester City Lay Down the Marker in the Champions League)
Gundogan’s Debut !
During the build-up to the match, Guardiola stressed the importance of stopping the counter-attacking threat posed by the side led by Andre Schubert, also focusing the importance of the build up right from the custodian for the German team. Die Fohlen’s are considered to be a budget version of the side from Manchester. Guardiola made a significant change going into this game handing Ilkay Gundogan his debut match.
The Argentinian forward Sergio Aguero opened the scoring for the Citizens, prodding the ball into the top net after some neat work from the defender Kolarov. Aguero soon missed a chance to double the lead for the Citizens, after a linkup between the midfielder Fernandhino and fellow midfielder Kevin De Bruyne. (Manchester City Lay Down the Marker in the Champions League)
Sergio Yet Again !
Borussia’s defensive midfielder Christoph Kramer had a game to forget as the German lunged in on fellow German Ilkay Gundogan in the 27th minute to concede a penalty and furthermore earn a booking for his side. The Argentine stepped up and sent the goalkeeper to the wrong way to double the lead for the Blues.
Julian Korb replaced Kramer in the 29th minute of the match. On the other end of the pitch; Lars Stindl tested the new signing Claudio Bravo with a sharp rising shot. Pep Guardiola and his side Manchester City were the happier of the two sides going into the break with a two-goal lead over the Germans.
The Citizens began the second half on a brighter note with an early chance going to the Argentine forward Sergio Aguero who’s attempt was saved brilliantly by the German custodian Yann Sommer. Guardiola’s men did not give enough space for the German side to attack them on the break. City, on the other hand, were more than happy to pass the ball to the fro their midfield. (Manchester City Lay Down the Marker in the Champions League)
Watch out Europe !
Sommer, displayed more brilliance when he denied a one-on-one opportunity for the youngster Raheem Sterling. Aguero was denied again by Sommer to keep the score down to 2-0. The Argentine added a goal to the score when he rounded the German goalkeeper to score a close range goal from a Raheem Sterling pass. (Manchester City Lay Down the Marker in the Champions League)
City, ended the match on a high when Iheanacho scored the fourth goal for the Citizens. Manchester City’s goalkeeper Claudio Bravo started the move with a ball over the Belgian Thorgan Hazard to the German substitute Leroy Sane who passed the ball to the path of the striker.