Manchester City clashed heads with Borussia Monchengladbach at the Puskas Arena earlier tonight, hoping to pick a victory in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last 16 tie. Pep Guardiola’s players dominated the game in the first half and took the lead in the 29th minute courtesy of Bernardo Silva’s goal. The away team kept enjoying more of the ball and went into the half-time interval one goal to the good.
Gabriel Jesus doubled Man City’s advantage in the 65th minute, which put daylight between the two sides. The German outfit struggled to come up with a response as the contest finished 2-0 in favour of the Mancunian giants in Budapest.
Let’s take a look at how each Man City player performed during the match against Monchengladbach.
GK: Ederson – 7/10
The Brazilian keeper had to make one good save in the second half but was otherwise untroubled during the 90 minutes.
RB: Kyle Walker – 7.5/10
The English full-back didn’t put a foot wrong in the game when defending inside his half. He also made one good chance in the opposition half.
CB: Ruben Dias – 7/10
Dias did what was asked of him at the back and secured an easy clean sheet away from home.
CB: Aymeric Laporte – 7/10
The Man City centre-back made a couple of crucial interceptions and was not shy about going on a run with the ball at his feet.
LB: Joao Cancelo – 8/10
Cancelo was defensively solid and completed several promising dribbles out on the wide areas. He has got an assist to show for his efforts.
CM: Ilkay Gundogan – 7/10
The German midfield ace had a couple of lively moments going forward and deserves credit for helping his side dominate the game at the centre of the park.
CM: Rodri – 7/10
The Spaniard won the ball back for his team on a couple of occasions but struggled to create any clear-cut chances in the attacking third.
LW: Phil Foden – 7/10
The English youngster was always willing to have a shot at the goal and caused some problems for the opposition defenders. However, there was no goal or assist for him tonight.
CAM: Bernardo Silva – 8/10
The Portuguese playmaker kept his calm to give Man City the lead near the half-hour mark. He also set-up Jesus’ goal in the second half.
RW: Raheem Sterling – 6/10
Sterling worked hard to help his teammates out at the back but offered very little offensively during his time on the pitch.
ST: Gabriel Jesus – 7.5/10
Jesus engineered one inviting chance in the final third and also got his name on the scoresheet in the 65th minute which has put his side in pole position to secure qualification into the next round of the Champions League.
Substitutes:
RW: Riyad Mahrez – 6.5/10
Mahrez produced a bright cameo off the bench but didn’t do enough to find the back of the net.
ST: Sergio Aguero – 6/10
He never got a sniff at goal.
LW: Ferran Torres – 6.5/10
The Spanish winger created a decent chance in the attacking third.
