Manchester City are slowly getting back to their best
A round completed in EUFA Champions League football for Man City with them collecting maximum points.
Both English sides, Liverpool and Manchester City top their respective Champions League groups with a flawless round. Pep Guardiola’s men defeated all of their group’s competitors with ease, conceding only a single goal over a course of three games.
With the Spaniard at the Etihad helm, City will always be regarded as a title favourite in whatever competition they fighting in, however, this season hasn’t exactly started off with them playing as a club who wants their English crown back.
On the other hand, that has not been their UCL tale so far with them taking nine points from the nine available. Keeping things efficient with the number 9, they’ve put three past every opponent to date and have nine goals for after Matchday 3.
A quick recap of Manchester City 3-0 Olympiacos
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The Greek champions were far from pushovers despite the scoreline reading three goals to no reply. It took the Cityzens time to add goal number two and three. Olympiacos were wasteful on the other end of the pitch, even missing with an open poles opportunity.
The home side just about piped the visits in ball possession with them having 51% and Olympiacos owning 49% possession. City, like every other match, made use of the ball possession, recording 20 shots at goal, with only seven hitting the target. Of the seven true hits at goal, Ferran Torres (12th-minute goal), Gabriel Jesus (81st-minute goal), and Joao Cancelo (90th-minute goal) earned a point each for their goals.
There were moments in the game where City looked vulnerable to the Thrylos’ attack, but this was expected when the manager named John Stones and Nathan Ake in defence. Phil Foden, who has filled in effortlessly since the departure of David Silva, had a moment of madness at the back.
Thankfully it went unpunished and the score remained 3-0 to the home team. The backline and goalkeeper selected for the night also gives the impression, Pep was and is more worried about the weekend’s league clash.
Building on their Champions League run
Pep’s squad reached double figures (11 points) in the Premier League after seven matchdays (played six and have one game in hand). That is rather unusual for a club who collects points like a petal collects water on a rainy day.
A heavy 5-2 defeat to Leicester City and two 1-1 draws against Leeds United and West Ham were the cause of their stuttering start. It has them in 10th place, with the title race wide open.
Although, in saying this, it appears Guardiola has been working on things in the absence of Sergio Aguero and others, who is expected to return for the intense Liverpool fixture this weekend coming.
Who has taken the reigns in Sergio’s absence?
It has been a joint effort with sometimes Raheem Sterling leading the line (Jesus has also only recently returned to full fitness) or the new boy, Torres, taking on the responsibility. One must admit, the £21million signing has been a breath of fresh air for Pep.
Leroy Sane will and was always going to be a tough act to follow, however, the 20-year-old has been almost superb when being used. He has scored in all three of his Champions League games his featured in. So far this season at his tender age he has scored four and assisted a further two in nine games across all competitions.
With more time, he could become the perfect replacement for Sane and give Riyad Mahrez plus Sterling a run for the starting spot but yes, it is still too early for that. For now, he is doing what is required under his countryman’s guidance.
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Next up for Manchester City
Next in line for the Group C leaders is one of the most exciting top-of-the-table clashes. Pep’s men take on his biggest advisory Jurgen Klopp in Premier League action. The last meeting between the duo at the Etihad ended with City hammering the champions 4-0.