Champions League: Manchester City vs Club Brugge Player Ratings as the Citizens earn a comprehensive victory

Manchester City did what was expected of them, as they came out with a 4-1 thumping against Belgian club Club Brugge. Phil Foden opened the scoring in the 15th minute, but Brugge found the equalizer two minutes later through a lucky deflected own goal of John Stones.

Manchester City dominated throughout the first half, and their efforts finally paid off in the second half, with Riyadh Mahrez opening the floodgates in the 65th minute. Two late goals from substitutes Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus helped them add extra sheen on the final scoreline. The victory helped Pep Guardiola’s side move to the top spot ahead of PSG In Group A.

Manchester City Player Ratings

Ederson (GK)- 7/10- The Manchester City keeper did not have much to do under the sticks, but was there whenever needed. His passing was top notch.

Aymeric Laporte- (7/10)- Laporte had a decent game in defence, and often ventured forward to provide an aerial threat on the opposition goal.

John Stones – (5.5/10)- The English defender scored the own goal, which gave Brugge hope of making a comeback into the fixture.

João Cancelo- (8/10)- Cancelo was excellent down the left flank, and provided both the assists for the first two goals. His pinpoint cross helped Mahrez score the second goal.

Kyle Walker- (6.5/10)- Walker did not have a great match and looked a pale shadow of his usual energetic self.

Rodri- (6.5/10)- The Spanish midfield general, sat in between the midfield trio and picked out passes intelligently from his deep-lying position.

Bernardo Silva- (7/10)- The Manchester City midfielder was the main creator in attack for Pepe Guardiola’s side. He also showed his defensive capabilities and won a number of tackles while Brugge attempted to counter.

Ilkay Gündogan- (7.5/10)- Gundogan was the farthest forward of the midfielders and constantly tried to make runs in behind the defenders. His efforts paid off as he got on the end of one of the through balls and set up Sterling for the third goal.

Phil Foden- (7.5/10)- Foden was brilliant in the No.10 role assigned to him and opened the scoring for Manchester City in the 15th-minute scoring into an empty net.  

Jack Grealish- (7/10)- He was always available as the extra man on the left flank, drawing defenders towards him after getting the ball. He had a decent outing on the pitch.

Riyad Mahrez- (7.5/10)- The right-winger was a constant menace on the attack for Club Brugge. He eventually had his goal, scoring from a free header at the far post.

Substitutes

Raheem Sterling- (7/10)- Sterling came on to replace Riyadh Mahrez in the 65th minute and made an instant impact scoring the third goal for Manchester City.

Gabriel Jesus- (7.5/10)- The Brazilian forward came on to replace Grealish in the 65th minute and scored the fourth goal for Manchester City after missing a one on one chance earlier.

Kevin De Bruyne- (6.5/10)- The midfielder was brought on for Bernardo silva. He strung a few good passes and looked eager to get a goal for himself.

Zinchenko- NA

Cole Palmer- NA

Club Brugge Player Ratings

Simon Mignolet (GK)- (7/10)- The former Liverpool keeper made a string of good saves late on, to reduce the margin of defeat for Club Brugge.

Brandon Mechele- (6.5/10)- Machele put in a decent shift at the heart of defence, but looked to have tired out at the end, as City piled on the misery.

Stanley N’Soki- (5.5/10)- N’ Soki had a poor match looking way too slow. He allowed Mahrez a free header at the far post from which the winger eventually scored

Jack Hendry- (6/10) The centre back did not have the tenacity to match up with the likes of Foden and Grealish and offered them far too many shooting chances.

Eduard Sobol- (6.5/10)- Sobol failed to deal with the pace and guile of Mahrez and Bernardo Silva on the left side. However, he made quite a few attacking runs and looked like a threat while going forward.

Clinton Mata- (6.5/10)- Mata looked the most secure of the defenders in the back five for Brugge as he did not allow much space for Grealish to show his creativity.

Mats Rits- (6/10)- Rits had a disaster of a match in midfield and was way too slow to find passes. His passing accuracy was a mere 65 per cent and was rightfully taken off for the final 10 minutes.

Ruud Vormer – (6.5/10)- The Brugge skipper tried his best for his side, putting in the hard yards in midfield.

Hans Vanaken – (7/10)- Club Brugge’s best player on the night, the midfielder won most of the battles with Bernardo Silva. He was good with his dribbling skills and helped out in defence as well.

Charles De Ketelaere- (6.5/10)- The Belgian youngster did not have much service to deal with all throughout the match. However, he did have a great chance to score but shot wide early in the second half.

Noa Lang- (6.5/10)- Another striker who could not blossom due to the lack of service. He was well marked by Stones and Walker o the right flank.

Substitutes

F. Ricca- (5.5/10)- The left-back failed to get himself accustomed to the pace of the match, as City wreaked havoc in the final minutes of the match down his flank.

Noah Mbamba- NA

Kamal Sowah- NA

V.D Brempt- NA

Bas Dost- NA

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