It was an unforgettable evening in Slovakia as Slovan Bratislava prepared for their moment on the Champions League stage.
Their manager, Vladimir Weiss, had sparked some intrigue by likening Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola to the renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, which hinted at a spirited encounter.
While there was a flicker of hope for the home team, history reminded everyone that such surprises are rarely in the cards.
As expected, City displayed their dominance, equaling the longest unbeaten streak in Champions League history in a match that felt remarkably comfortable—at one point, it seemed they might even breach double digits in scoring.
An Unusual Week
Manchester City appeared unusually relaxed, showcasing their confidence as they dominated play.
Guardiola, however, expressed his frustration with his players’ eagerness to go for spectacular goals rather than simply dismantling their opponents with calculated plays.
At one stage, it felt almost ridiculous as the players were shooting from all angles, rather unlike City’s typical approach.
This week had already been full of surprises, including Weiss presenting Guardiola with a box of vodka, an unexpected gift that seemed more festive than competitive.
Guardiola seemed content yet not overly thrilled, noting, “We are improving, step by step. A good night.”
A Festival Atmosphere
For Slovan, the occasion felt monumental, marking their first proper foray into the Champions League.
The local press dubbed it “the greatest of all holidays,” especially after the team’s recent struggles, including a heavy defeat to Celtic.
Fans donned City jerseys, creating an electric atmosphere, while pre-match celebrations included light shows, a violinist performing Gala’s “Freed from Desire,” and Weiss receiving a commemorative shirt for his 60th birthday.
It truly felt like a national celebration rather than a routine group stage match.
Match Highlights
SLOVAN BRATISLAVA (4-2-3-1): Takac; Wimmer, Bajric, Kashia, Blackman; Savvidis, Ihnatenko (Szoke 63′); Weiss (Zuberu 63′), Tolic (Pauschek 79′), Barseghyan (Mak 85′); Strelec (Marcelli 79′)
Subs: Gajdos, Hrdina, Medvedev, Metsoko, Mustafic, Trnovsky, Voet
Manager: Weiss
MAN CITY (4-2-3-1): Ortega; Gvardiol (Walker 78′), Stones, Akanji (Dias 61′), Lewis; Gundogan, Nunes; Savinho, Foden (Grealish 78′), Doku; Haaland (McAtee 61′)
Subs: Carson, Kovacic, Silva, Ederson
Goals: Gundogan 8′, Foden 15′, Haaland 58′, McAtee 74′
Manager: Pep Guardiola
A Mixed Tifo Message
The atmosphere was charged, and the Slovan Ultras unfurled a tifo that initially appeared intimidating, showcasing the teams they had eliminated in the qualifying rounds.
However, the main visual featuring Beth Harmon, the chess prodigy from The Queen’s Gambit, seemed unrelated and perhaps even quirky, given that the Netflix series doesn’t have a clear link to Slovakia.
As for the match itself, it didn’t take long for City to assert their dominance.
Within just 15 minutes, Ilkay Gundogan found the net with a volley deflected into the goal, followed by Phil Foden, who scored after a slick setup from Jeremy Doku.
This was a crucial moment for Foden, who had struggled with illness earlier in the season but was given the opportunity to shine again by Guardiola.
City’s Depth on Display
Gundogan’s goal marked his first since joining from Barcelona, and it was clear that City was playing without some key players due to injuries and rest.
This depth allowed Guardiola to rotate his squad without missing a beat.
In fact, City’s biggest vulnerability appeared during their own corners, giving Slovan chances to counterattack, though they couldn’t capitalize, with Marko Tolic missing a golden opportunity.
City dominated possession with 38 first-half attacks compared to Slovan’s single effort.
Guardiola had previously remarked that the buildup to the match felt more like a friendly, and the performance reflected that sentiment, resembling more of a training session than a competitive clash.
Rising Stars and Records
One standout was young Rico Lewis, who impressed Guardiola with his performance.
The coach couldn’t find enough praise, noting, “The way Rico is playing… there are no words. He does everything. Making assists, defensively strong, small pockets – so good. He is playing at the highest level.”
As City continued their unbeaten streak, they were on track to surpass Manchester United’s record from 2009 with a positive result against Sparta Prague.
The match truly wrapped up 13 minutes into the second half when Erling Haaland, recovering from a recent injury, showcased his speed and skill to score a brilliant goal.
With that, he set a new Champions League record, notching 42 goals in just 41 matches.
Guardiola quickly substituted him for James McAtee, who seized his moment to shine by scoring his first goal for the club with a well-timed half-volley.
What Lies Ahead?
With City’s triumph, they demonstrated their readiness to continue their streak in Europe.
As they look ahead to future matches, the team is clearly positioned for more success, while Slovan Bratislava can take pride in their own accomplishments this season, marking an exciting chapter in their football history.
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