Sevilla 0 – 4 Man City
Erling Haaland scored twice and scored 12 goals in seven games for City as they kicked off their Champions League campaign in form with a 4-0 win over Sevilla.
The new Man City superstar scored twice in the opening Group G match against Phil Foden and Ruben Dias also joined Pep Guardiola’s quest to win his first Champions League title with the club off to a complete start. perfect.
Haaland was on hand to pull off a Kevin De Bruyne cross in the 20th minute before Foden reversed a clever second goal into the far corner after the break. City, who were at their best, made the game extremely safe in the 67th minute when Haaland tapped the home side after Foden’s shot was blocked, meaning the Norwegian forward has now scored 25 goals in just 20 Champions League appearances.
Dias scored in stoppage time in an impressive win.
Manchester City’s next is Tottenham on Saturday, live on Sky Sports; start at 5:30 pm.
How the slick city swept away Sevilla…
Man City are often not at their peak when crossing the Spanish border having won only 3 of the last 13 visits but they have settled too smoothly in Seville.
De Bruyne showed his telepathic wavelength to Haaland in the eighth minute when the striker fired a diagonal shot wide of the post. Sevilla did not heed that warning.
Foden spotted De Bruyne’s clever run on the right edge of the box and he delivered a devastating pass into the six yards, knowing quite well that his striker would read the situation. Haaland stretched across his athletic goal and poked a slot from close range to score his 11th goal, a remarkable start to his Man City career.
Sevilla, who have lost three of their four La Liga games this season and have no confidence left, decided to field two attacking players in the second half to try to push City back. However, that only opened up the field more for the visitors and Foden started to pop up in some dangerous positions.
He scored in the 58th minute when he reversed the situation and shot into the far corner from the edge of the box. Foden was involved in Haaland’s third, and second, when some quicker footwork set up an attack that Bono masterfully overcame to get straight into his lane. Safe to say he didn’t miss.
Guardiola let Haaland, De Bruyne and Foden rest for the final 25 minutes but City didn’t give up and Dias was there to power the hosts after a Riyad Mahrez cross.
On this proof, Manchester City will have several stops in this competition.
De Bruyne: Haaland will be even better
Kevin De Bruyne to BT Sport:
“I try to do my job, do the right moves and create as many opportunities as I can.
“I know one way or another, Erling will be there. Right now, he’s scoring and that helps us win. It’s a perfect start for him.
“I think the way he has adapted to us is really good. Apart from scoring there is another part of the game and I think that part can be more difficult to adapt to.
“But that makes it more interesting. If he can adjust to the way we play there, then the level will go up. That’s what we demand of him. He knows and we do. I know I can still do better but that’s just a positive.”
Man City’s remaining Champions League fixtures
September 14: Borussia Dortmund (H) – starts at 8pm
October 5: FC Copenhagen (H) – starts at 8pm
October 11th: FC Copenhagen (A) – starts at 5:45pm
October 25: Borussia Dortmund (A) – starts at 8pm
November 2nd: Seville (H) – start at 8pm