Champions League: Man City 2-0 Shakhtar

Manchester City win again in Champions League Group F

Match Report

Manchester City 2-0 Shakhtar Donetsk
Manchester City goals: Kevin De Bruyne (48’ minutes), Raheem Sterling (90’minutes)

Popular Manchester City superstar midfielder Kevin de Bruyne scored an impressive opening goal followed by a late goal by Raheem Sterling as Manchester City defeated Shakhtar Donetsk to make it two impressive Champions League Group F wins out of two. Summer signing City goalie Ederson gets credit for the clean sheet. Ukrainian champions Shakhtar were one of the toughest club that Man City have faced this season and the current England Premier League leaders had a fierce battle to collect their three points. City boss Pep Guardiola's high-scoring side have easily defeated many of their opponents this season but were made to work hard this time around. To date, City have won 8 out of their 9 games in all competitions, netting 29 times and conceding only 3.

Belgium De Bruyne exchanged passes with David Silva before sending in his first goal of the season from the edge of the area. Raheem Sterling added a late second from fellow substitute Bernardo Silva's pass. Man City’s top striker Sergio Aguero who is on course to equal Eric Brook's all-time goalscoring record for City, had a rare off night with a second-half penalty saved by Shakhtar's Andriy Pyatov. The Argentine star had two more of his efforts pushed away by the tough Ukraine goalkeeper. After scoring 22 times in their previous 5 matches, City were expected to crush their Ukraine opponents but were left frustrated in a goalless opening period which saw De Bruyne shoot wide and Leroy Sane shoot off target. Shakhtar also missed chances in the first half, as Brazilian Marlos forced Ederson into an amazing full-stretch save, while former Newcastle striker Facundo Ferreyra nodded his header wide.

Delph played as left-back for Manchester City against Shakhtar and City boss Pep Guardiola named Delph as the man of the match. Former Barcelona Fc and Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola failed to win a single trophy for the first time in his career last season. This campaign, Guardiola’s side look fit to compete for both the England Premier League and Champions League trophies. Centre-back John Stones is in form and made 101 passes - more than any other player on the pitch. City midfielder Fernandinho's four tackles, four interceptions and five clearances were outstanding. David Silva looked great. De Bruyne came through with a stunning goal. Steerling scored his sixth goal of this campaign. Fabian Delph, playing at left-back in place of the injured Benjamin Mendy impressed as. the Englishman won the ball back 13 times. "For me, Fabian was man of the match. The guy is so kind and helps the team, he is intelligent, is physical and never loses the ball. He controlled Marlos and did it very well," said Guardiola. Last season there were eight games when Man City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo conceded 14 goals from 22 shots on target. This season the Chile international Bravo has been replaced by £35m summer signing Brazilian Ederson from Benfica, who looks to be an impressive upgrade. The confident Ederson’s eye-catching performance often features finding a team-mate with a pinpoint pass towards the halfway line. The good news for fans is that City have found a goalkeeper who can make saves and earn points, earning his sixth clean sheet of the 2017-18 campaign.

"It is not easy coming from another country. From speaking to the boys in the past who have come over to the Premier League, it is a different culture, different language, and he has settled. He is speaking to us on the pitch, and he is a vocal presence and a presence as a person, which is a credit to him," said teammate Stones about Ederson. Manchester City reportedly are the best-placed English team to win the Champions League this season. Next Manchester City face another stern test on Saturday when they travel to Premier League champions Chelsea. Buy top, legal, last-minute Chelsea v Manchester City tickets now securely online from LiveFootballTickedts.com! After the win, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola told the media that he was proud of his side.

“Even at 1-0, we were stable.” said Guardiola. “A lot of credit to what we have done. The way Shakhtar play, they demand a lot of us but our high pressing was brilliant. We had problems in the first half, we did not make enough passes in a row but the second half was much, much, much better. We are so happy for the win. They were very narrow and there was little space in between but then our full-backs were able to dictate and created a lot of chances for another four or five goals. Even at 1-0, we were stable. We did not score goals but it was a demanding game. The next game against Napoli will be even tougher."

Match Facts

Manchester City have won their opening two Champions League group games in a season for the first time. No Ukrainian club has ever won an away game in the Champions League against English opposition (drawn two, lost 13). Manchester City are unbeaten in their past 10 Champions League home games (won seven, drawn three), their longest run without a defeat on home soil in the competition. Kevin de Bruyne has been directly involved in 12 goals in his past 12 games for Manchester City in all competitions (three goals, nine assists). Sergio Aguero has scored just two of the past seven penalties that he has taken in Champions League competition (including qualifiers). Raheem Sterling has now scored six goals in his past seven competitive appearances for Manchester City.

Squads

Manchester City
Ederson; Walker, Stones, Otamendi, Delph; De Bruyne, Fernandinho, D Silva; Jesus, Aguero, SanéSubs: Bravo, Danilo, Sterling, Gundogan, Mangala, B Silva, Touré.

Shakhtar
Pyatov; BUtko, Ordets, Rakitskiy, Ismaily; Fred, Stepanenko; Marlos, Taison, Bernard; Ferreyra Subs: Shevchenko, Khocholava, Dentinho, Alan Patrick. Petriak. Azevedo, Kovalenko.
Referee: M De Sousa (Portugal) 

Eredivisie champions Feyenoord, who were thrashed 4-0 by City in their opening group game, lost 3-1 against Serie A side Napoli in Tuesday's other group game. In other recent Champions League matches Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid, PSG, and Barcelona also defeated their rivals. Buy all Champions League tickets for Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, Celtic, and PSG from LiveFootballTickets.com!