Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City (Unclear) hits his team’s second goal with Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish during the UEFA Champions League Group A match between Club Brugge KV and Manchester City at the Jan Bredel Stadium in Bruges on October 19, 2021 Celebrate after. , Belgium.
Manchester City displayed an impressive display of slick passing and movement to beat Club Brugge 5-1 in the Champions League.
After losing to Paris Saint-Germain last month, Pep Guardiola’s team revamped in style, making things easier against opponents who were overwhelmed from the start and were forced to defend throughout Tuesday’s match.
City have six points from three games, two more than Brugge, who went down to their first Group A defeat.
Led by an excellent Phil Foden in the role of false No. 9, City pressed hard on the pitch at the Jan Bredel Stadium and were rewarded with first-half goals from Joao Cancello and Riyad Mahrez. Kyle Walker, substitute Cole Palmer – in his tournament debut – and Mahrez completed the scoring after a hiatus with his second night.
“He has so much quality. He scored five goals but could have added more,” said Brugge goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
“It was the first time in years we played in the Champions League with such a talented team. They pay you for every little mistake.”
Under heavy pressure from Jacques Grealish’s left wing and back in his own half, the Belgian hosts were forced to focus on defensive work as City twice came close to taking the lead in the opening 15 minutes.
City found the net in the 13th but Rodri’s goal was canceled for an offside position and Foden pulled his shot into the side-netting in the next minute.
The visitors built up frequent attacks and broke the deadlock near the half-hour mark, when Foden found Cancello a chipped pass on Brugge’s defense. Cancillo chested the ball and beat Mignolet with a subtle blow between the keeper’s legs.
City doubled their lead in the 43rd minute when Stanley Nsoki fouled Mahrez with a clumsy tackle inside the box. The Alger international converts Mignolet into the bottom left corner from the spot, sending Mignolet the wrong way.
City continued their high-pressure game after the hiatus, finding a comfortable low down the flank. Walker made it 3-0 in the 53rd minute with a clever pass from Kevin De Bruyne between the two defenders.
Guardiola’s coaching combined well with substitute Raheem Sterling and Palmer scoring City’s fourth goal in the 67th minute. Sterling pitched the 19-year-old to the edge of the box and Palmer ended the move with a superbly curved kick into the net.
Hans Vancken scored a consolation goal in the 82nd minute to save the hosts pride and Mahrez stopped City’s victory from close range.
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