Manchester City secured their first Champions League win of the season with a dominant 4-0 victory over Slovan Bratislava. Phil Foden, who has been seeking to regain his form from last season, stole the spotlight with a goal and an assist, while Ilkay Gundogan made his mark as he returned to City's starting lineup in a commanding display.
Pep Guardiola made six changes to his side following their draw against Newcastle in the Premier League, rotating key players as they travelled to face Slovan Bratislava, who were competing in the Champions League proper for the first time in their history. Despite the festive atmosphere created by the home fans, the reigning Premier League champions wasted no time in establishing their dominance.
The scoring began early, with Gundogan netting his first goal since his return to City in the eighth minute. The veteran midfielder, captaining the side for the first time since the 2023 Champions League final victory, saw his deflected shot glide past Slovan goalkeeper Dominik Takac. Gundogan's strike set the tone for the match, as City quickly took control of possession and territory.
Seven minutes later, Foden doubled the lead with a cool, composed finish into the bottom corner. The goal was a welcome boost for the England international, who has struggled with form, injury, and illness this season. His sharp movement and lethal finishing reminded fans of the player who scored 27 goals across all competitions in the previous campaign.
City continued to press relentlessly, with Jeremy Doku, Gundogan, and Foden all coming close to adding to the scoreline, each striking the woodwork in quick succession. Slovan Bratislava, overwhelmed by City's high press and intricate passing, could barely muster a response. Their best opportunity came early on when Marko Tolic fired a shot just wide of the far post. That moment, however, would be their only real threat.
Erling Haaland, not to be left out of the action, added a third goal just before the hour mark. The Norwegian striker, who has been in sensational form this season, latched onto a through ball, calmly rounding the keeper, and slotting home for his 11th goal of the campaign. His clinical finish was a reminder of why he remains one of Europe’s most feared attackers.
As the match entered its final stages, Guardiola introduced some of his younger talents, including James McAtee. The 21-year-old midfielder wasted no time in making an impact, with Foden cleverly flicking the ball into his path, allowing McAtee to score his first goal for the club in the 74th minute. The goal was the cherry on top of a fine team performance, with Guardiola later praising the youngster’s composure and his growing role within the squad.
Despite City's dominant display, it could have been worse for Slovan had it not been for Takac’s heroics in goal, as he made several key saves to prevent further damage. Still, City walked away from the match with their first win in the revamped Champions League format, leaving Bratislava with plenty of confidence as they aim to defend their European crown.
City’s commanding performance leaves them well-placed in their group, while Slovan Bratislava can take pride in their journey to the competition’s main stage, though they’ll need to regroup quickly if they hope to progress further.
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