Manchester City’s European campaign got off to the best possible start as Sergio Aguero plundered the German side for his second hat trick in as many games. The match which was scheduled for Tuesday evening was postponed to Wednesday due to heavy rain.
Borussia Mönchengladbach who had their request of forwarding their game to an earlier kick-off denied never looked at ease from the outset and was punished emphatically.
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In the earlier Group C match, Barcelona had routed Celtic and are currently top of the group on goal difference having scored seven goals on the night. Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in that game to set the Catalans on their way to a 7-0 thrashing of Celtic.
#1. Aguero’s return makes City look more lethal
Sergio Aguero continued his rich vein of form as he scored a hat-trick on the night. This was his second hat-trick of the season and the Argentine looked at his lethal best. The only complain one may have of the Argentine is the time he took to score the third goal, which was a result of some quick thinking and an even quicker pass from Raheem Sterling .
The Argentine now has 25 Champions League goals discounting the qualifiers. For a player of his calibre, the Argentines tally is meagre compared to the likes of Messi and Ronaldo. Aguero who will miss the game against Bournemouth on Sunday due to a domestic suspension will hope to continue this prolific form.
#2. Borussia Monchengladbach looked distracted and startled
City may have started the game slowly but were soon on the scoreboard, thanks to some sluggish defending. The German side were caught out by a Kolarov cross from the left side which found Aguero’s darting run at the near post.
In fact, soon after, City had the opportunity to extend the lead as a result of a dispossession which led to a quick counter attack by De Bruyne and Gundogan, with the former getting off a shot as well, which was well saved by extended Sommer.
It was only midway into the first half that the German side were finally able to do something of note when they won their first corner but were again stopped in their tracks by the second Aguero goal. The Germans will have to do much better in a Group which also consists of Barcelona if they are continue playing in Europe this season.
#3. Pep Guardiola has the right to be disappointed
Pep’s Champions League record is impeccable. In his seven seasons as a coach, he has never finished lower than the semi-finals of this competition. Manchester City who was semi-finalists last year bowed out quite mutedly last term. Guardiola already has gotten the team up and running and will hope to go a couple of steps better with this side.
Hence it is understandable at his disappointment at seeing the stadium not full. After all, in clubs such as Barcelona and Bayern, he wasn’t used to seeing empty stadiums. While the rescheduling of the match may have been an obvious hindrance the Spaniard seemed pretty pleased with his team and emphasised on the need to pick up as many points as possible.
Gundogan who made his first appearance this season was picked out for his performance along with the likes of Sterling and Aguero. Otaemendi was instructed to carry the ball out of defence and was repeatedly encouraged by Guardiola and Bravo had his first clean sheet as well. Overall a very assured performance from the Citizens.
#4 Andre Schubert needs to get it tactically correct
As early as the 38th minute the German side carried out a tactical substitution reverting to a back four as Julian Korb came on for Christoph Kramer. That seemed to give the German side some shape with Stindl firing off an excellent shot which was very well saved by Bravo.
The theme of the evening was “one-way traffic” as City peppered the M’Bach goal with shots. At the end Andre Schubert, speaking to the reporters was heard saying, “We had to get everything right, be very courageous and attack high up with high intensity. We didn't manage to do that. We couldn't stop City's build-up and we didn't show quality in defence. That's why Man City won so clearly." As reported by Luke Reddy of the BBC Football.
While it is good, to be honest, that still doesn’t justify the performance in which the team looked disinterested at times. Schubert will have to get his players up and running for the next Game day if they are to entertain hopes of continuing their campaign in Europe.
#5 Group C looks to be a two-horse race
With Barcelona winning 7-0 in their other group game and City winner theirs 4-0, it seems like a two horse race. Against Monchengladbach, Pep used an efficient tactical system rather than relying on the passing game plan. The visitors may have had more possession in the earlier stages of the game but it was City who used the ball more efficiently.
With 23 shots on target, City dominated the game as derby match scorer, Iheanacho, also getting on the score sheet. City will look to remain top of the Premier League when they host Bournemouth on Saturday and hope to carry on this form in their next Champions League fixture against Celtic.
With fixtures against Barcelona yet to come, Guardiola knows he would do well to pick up as many points as possible from their remaining fixtures.
