Manchester City continued their perfect record in the UEFA Champions League this season as they beat Olympiacos 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium.
Ferran Torres, Gabriel Jesus and Joao Cancelo were on target for Manchester City in yet another convincing performance in the Champions League. City have scored 3 goals in each of their group stage games this season and have conceded just 1 goal.
It was Ferran Torres who scored the first goal with a sublime finish in the 12th minute. Manchester City had the majority of the ball and were dominant in the first half as Olympiacos failed to hit the target. The approach from the Greeks differed vastly in the second half and they looked far more threatening.
The biggest contrast was the intent with the ball and its retention. Olympiacos had 36% of the ball in the first half as compared to 48% in the second. If Mathieu Valbuena had taken his big chance, the completion of the game would have changed drastically.
FULL-TIME | 3️⃣ goals and 3️⃣ points!
? 3-0 ⚫️ #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/pwS1RXVn3q
— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 3, 2020
Jesus and Cancelo came on as second-half substitutes and scored terrific goals, in what was a late blitz of goals that took the game away from the Greeks. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Pep Guardiola’s men following their convincing win on Tuesday.
Ederson Moraes: 6/10
Ederson did not have the busiest of outings as he only had the one save to make. The Brazilian has now kept three consecutive clean sheets in all competitions, and this kind of defensive solidity is something Manchester City would be looking to take into the game versus Liverpool this weekend.
Kyle Walker: 7/10
Kyle Walker has now started all 11 games for Manchester City this season and despite the toil, he has shown no signs of fatigue. Walker was a menace going forward as usual. He combined well with Riyad Mahrez and created a few chances from the byline.
Walker had his work cut out for him as Olympiacos upped the ante in the second half, but the Englishman did fairly well. Guardiola could be heard screaming on the touchline as he was unhappy with Walker for losing the ball cheaply on a few occasions.
John Stones: 6/10
Stones made just his second start to the season and had a calm and composed game. He won all his aerial duels and was assured in possession. Stones completed all 6 of his long passes attempted, and had a pass completion rate of 94%. A start ahead of Eric Garcia was definitely the silver lining for Stones.
Nathan Ake: 7/10
Nathan Ake gave a performance that justified why Guardiola signed him in the first place. Having returned from injury, Ake would be happy to have these minutes under his belt along with a clean sheet as well. The Dutch centre-back was safe and error-free on the ball – completing passes at a success rate of 97.5% and only losing the ball twice.
Oleksandr Zinchenko: 6/10
Zinchencko did the role of an inverted full-back a good amount of justice, which also gave Phil Foden the license to play further ahead. Zinchencko did not make much of an impact on the game. His performance versus Marseille was far superior. He lost the ball a total of 18 times, which Guardiola would not have taken kindly.
Ilkay Gundogan: 7/10
Excellent start to the first matches of the group stage – 9/9 points. ⚽??? #UCL@ChampionsLeaguepic.twitter.com/AhFMMkw1iC
— Ilkay Gündogan (@IlkayGuendogan) November 3, 2020
Gundogan played the role of a number six from the base of City’s midfield. He was often seen dropping between the centre-backs and pulling the strings from there. He recycled possession with aplomb in a fast manner. The German had the most touches on the pitch as well. His performance declined after the arrival of Rodri, as he began to play a different role, which he has done better at in the past in comparison to last night.
Kevin De Bruyne: 8/10
Kevin De Bruyne’s return from injury has shown how crucial he is to the Citizens. The Belgian grabbed two assists on the night and delivered 5 key passes. De Bruyne could have added a goal in the first 10 minutes, but failed to take his chance. Apart from that, though, he was on top of his game and was also put in a tireless shift off the ball.
Phil Foden: 5/10
It was a rare start for Phil Foden in midfield, having played in the front three lately. The young Manchester City star played in the inside left channel and combined very well with Raheem Sterling. There were signs of David Silva’s game in Foden, which was good to see.
With all the positives and Foden getting into good areas, though, he lacked the final pass and did not adequately contribute to the defence. Foden also lost the ball 15 times and eventually got subbed off in the 69th minute.
Ferran Torres: 8/10
Due to the absence of Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus, Torres has really bloomed in the false 9 role. Torres broke the deadlock in the 12th minute with a composed finish through the legs of the keeper, becoming the third player in Champions League history to score in four consecutive matches.
Ferrán Torres becomes the third-youngest player to score in 4 consecutive Champions League games (4 goals) ???#UCLpic.twitter.com/x4liF3udt3
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 3, 2020
The aerial wall-pass with De Bruyne was a pleasure to watch. Even after Jesus came on, Torres looked good on the right side and his performance on Tuesday could earn him a start in the big game versus Liverpool.
Riyad Mahrez: 5/10
Riyad Mahrez’s performance epitomised his career at Manchester City. He was silky, threatening and good on the eye, but there was no final product. There were large parts of the game where Mahrez could not be seen and with the rise of Ferran Torres, the Algerian really needs to step up.
Raheem Sterling: 6/10
Sterling was not at his usual best as he failed to score or assist for the second game running. Usually, he does get at the end of a De Bruyne cross, but we did not see that combination against Olympiacos. Despite the lack of end product, Sterling dribbled well and delivered fine crosses. He gave veteran Rafinha a torrid time.
SUBSTITUTES
Gabriel Jesus: 7/10
Jesus’s return from injury was highly awaited. Guardiola would be grateful to finally have a traditional number 9 back at his disposal. Jesus marked his return with an impactful performance and an emphatic finish from a difficult angle. It really was a superb goal.
Ooooh, he’s back alright! ?
? 2-0 ⚫️ #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/r9uAY8vu4Q
— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 3, 2020
Rodri: 6/10
Olympiacos had started the second half very well and controlled the ball more than Manchester City would have liked. Rodri’s introduction in place of Foden helped City slow down the game and take control of the proceedings. It also made the Citizens defensively secure.
Joao Cancelo: 7/10
Came on late for Walker in a like for like change and got onto the score sheet to cap a comprehensive victory. Cancelo has been in terrific form of late, albeit as a left-back. He played in his original position as a right-back and continued to impress. The Portuguese’s versatility is a godsend for Guardiola.
Felix Nmecha: 6/10
20-year-old, Felix Nmecha, made his Champions League debut on Tuesday night and earned an assist in the five minutes that he got.
Bernardo Silva: N/A
Came on for Sterling and did not get involved that much.
