Phil Foden played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s commanding 4-0 victory over Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League, scoring a goal and providing an assist in what was only his second start of the season. The 23-year-old England midfielder, who had struggled to replicate the form that saw him named PFA Player of the Season last year, delivered a standout performance as City cruised to their first win in the revamped Champions League format.

City started the match strong, with Ilkay Gundogan, back from Barcelona, opening the scoring with a deflected effort in the 8th minute—his first goal since rejoining the club. Foden added a second just seven minutes later with a calm finish into the bottom corner, marking his first goal of the campaign. The visitors continued to dominate, with Foden, Jeremy Doku, and Gundogan all hitting the woodwork before Erling Haaland slotted in his 11th goal of the season in the second half. Foden later assisted substitute James McAtee, who netted his first City goal in the 74th minute.

Despite the heavy scoreline, Slovan Bratislava goalkeeper Dominik Takac produced several key saves to keep the scoreline respectable. Bratislava, playing in their first-ever Champions League group stage, had a spirited start but struggled to contain City’s relentless attack after Marko Tolic’s early effort.

Midfield Duo Lead City’s Charge

The midfield pairing of Foden and Gundogan was key to City’s dominance. Gundogan, who captained the side, was instrumental in controlling the game and creating opportunities. The 34-year-old, who returned after a season at Barcelona, could play a crucial role in City’s midfield following Rodri’s season-ending injury. His deflected strike, first for City since the 2023 FA Cup final, was a reminder of his capability to step up in crucial moments.

For Foden, this performance could mark a turning point in what has been a slow start to his season. With injuries and limited playing time hampering his form, the England international showed glimpses of the player who netted 27 goals last season. While City manager Pep Guardiola admitted Foden was “not yet at his best,” his goal and assist highlighted his ability to influence games even when not fully fit.

Slovan’s Struggles Against a Premier League Powerhouse

Slovan Bratislava, who had fought through eight qualifying games to reach the Champions League group stage for the first time in their history, found themselves overwhelmed by City’s superior quality. Despite a lively atmosphere and an impressive pre-match light show, the Slovak side was left chasing shadows for much of the game. Their brief moments of promise, like Tolic’s early chance, were quickly nullified by City’s structured defense and relentless attack.

Goalkeeper Dominik Takac emerged as Bratislava’s standout performer, making several saves to deny City an even bigger scoreline. Yet, the hosts were unable to match City’s tempo and precision, with players like Foden, Gundogan, and Haaland consistently breaking down their defense.

Key Performers

• Phil Foden (Manchester City): Scored and assisted, showing flashes of last season’s form with a composed finish and a clever assist.
• Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City): A commanding presence in midfield, opened the scoring, and hit the crossbar in a display that reminded City fans of his quality.
• Dominik Takac (Slovan Bratislava): Despite conceding four goals, the Bratislava goalkeeper made several crucial saves, preventing an even larger defeat.

Guardiola’s View

City boss Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Foden and McAtee post-match, particularly focusing on McAtee’s first senior goal for the club. Guardiola highlighted the young midfielder’s progress, emphasizing how important it is for McAtee to feel part of the squad and noting that his goal could provide a much-needed confidence boost. On Foden, Guardiola admitted the England star was “still not at his best” but remains optimistic about his return to top form.

Conclusion

This routine victory not only gave Manchester City their first win of the Champions League season after drawing with Inter Milan but also provided a platform for key players like Foden and Gundogan to regain form. For Slovan Bratislava, the match was a steep learning curve as they look to build on their historic Champions League qualification. The Premier League champions now shift their focus to maintaining momentum in both domestic and European competitions.