Here we have with us the Manchester City player ratings in a dominating display against Sporting CP. This was the first leg of the Round of 16 in the Champions League which was hosted by Sporting. The away goals rule is scrapped from the UCL and Manchester City certainly have understood the new rules and regulations as they beat Sporting 0-5 in the first leg.
Manchester City took the lead in just the 7th minute. Foden’s initial shot was saved by the goalkeeper but the ball straight into the legs of Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian then cut back the ball towards Mahrez who scored the goal with a first-time shot. Furthermore, City extended their lead just after 10 minutes from their first goal.
Mahrez’s corner was lifted high in a failed attempt to clear. Silva saw the opportunity and thumped the ball with a volley into the back of the net. Foden also found himself on the scoresheet in the 32nd minute. Mahrez found space with his agility and dribbling on the right-hand side before passing the ball towards Foden who tapped in from a failed clearance.
Cancelo’s brilliant ball found Sterling in the box who cut it back for Bernardo. Silva’s first-time shot was deflected and ended up in the back of the net for the 4th goal before half-time. In the 58th minute, Sterling produced a moment of magic when he curled the ball into the top far corner past the Sporting goalkeeper to increase City’s lead to 5 goals.
Manchester City player ratings vs Sporting CP
Ederson – 6/10
Enjoyed the luxury of watching his team play some of the best football and barely touching the ball.
John Stones – 8/10
Stones may not be the perfect man to replace Walker but he showed his worth by stopping attacks and providing an option on set-pieces.
Ruben Dias – 7/10
Sporting fans initially booed him but he did not let it affect him and did not lose focus. The booing later disappeared as City unleashed themselves.
Aymeric Laporte – 8/10
A loose pass from Rodri did not disturb his focus and avoided Sporting from getting into the box. Moreover, tried to contribute to the other side in the second half.
Joao Cancelo – 8/10
Another fine display from the Portuguese. A brilliant pass for the fourth goal and was constantly a threat for the opposition.
Rodri – 7/10
His loose pass was a moment when everyone must have thought that it was one of those ‘nights’ with City. However, he gathered himself and didn’t do anything wrong later.
Kevin De Bruyne – 8/10
De Bruyne put in a trademark performance on the night with his usual deliveries into that box and long drives towards opposition defense.
Bernardo Silva – 9/10
Could have gotten himself a hattrick but was a real menace for Sporting. An outstanding volley for the first goal and a great run in the box for the second.
Riyad Mahrez – 9/10
Mahrez was also constantly a threat as he opened the scoring, took the corner for the second goal, and did well to set up the third goal.
Raheem Sterling – 8/10
He has found his form back at City and he showed that with an outrageous strike from outside the box into the top far corner.
Phil Foden – 7/10
A neat performance playing as the center-forward and got himself a goal from the six-yard box.
Substitutes
Ilkay Gundogan – 6/10
Had very little to provide as the game was already won by then but got booked later on.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 6/10
Got settled quickly on the left-hand side along with Sterling.
Fernandhino – N/A
Did not get enough time to make an impact on the game.
Nathan Ake – N/A
Did not get enough time to make an impact on the game.
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