UCL 2018/2019 : 5 talking points from matchday 5 of the group stage

#1 Lyon lays template for EPL

Bruno Genesio played Manchester City at their own game

It is not news that Manchester City are defending champions of the Premier League, winning their title in such emphatic fashion last season, and breaking a host of records to boot.

They have continued from where they left off this season, and are currently unbeaten in the league, holding a two point advantage atop the standings.

Much of City’s success has been built on Guardiola’s principle of keeping the ball and passing their opponents into submission, and after two-and-half seasons of absolutely breathtaking (boring?) football, most teams just sit back, absorb the pressure and hope the scoreline doesn’t resemble a Basketball scoreboard come full time whenever they face City.

In Lyon, City twice came up against a resolute side determined to give as much as they got and some more, first at the Etihad on matchday one when the French side registered a shock 2-1 win in a match which Pep missed due to suspension.

Once again at the Groupama stadium, The Cityzens were on the backfoot, having to twice come from behind to salvage a 2-2 stalemate to confirm their spot in the second round.

Lyon were not afraid to impose their game on Guardiola's side, regularly leaving Memphis Depay, Nabil Fekir and Maxwel Cornet upfront even when City had the ball to give them attacking channels, and this proved immensely beneficial as they constantly forced the normally untested City defense into making errors.

Lyon’s performances over both legs led Pep Guardiola to describe them as one of the ‘toughest’ sides he has ever faced, and this is no mean feat considering the achievements of the Catalan.

Lyon played Man City at their own game for 180 minutes, and having come out unscathed, this might serve as a template for other EPL teams to follow (although it is pertinent to note that some who tried it ended up on the receiving end of embarrassing scorelines).