Manchester City opened their Champions League campaign with a comprehensive 5-0 win in Romania. Sergio Aguero scored a hat-trick after earlier missing two penalties, while David Silva and Nolito were both on the score sheet.
Willy Cabellero 6/10 – Was once again favoured over Joe Hart. Made a solid safe at 1-0 after a rare counter attack but from the Romanians. Other than that, had very little to do.
Pablo Zabaleta 7/10 – Replaced Bacary Sagna after the win over Sunderland and looked similar to the player he did three or four years ago as he surged up and down the right flank throughout.
John Stones 6/10 – Had very little to do but was composed on the ball and rarely gave the opposition attack a sniff.
Nicolas Otamendi 6/10 – Looked comfortable next to Stones making his first appearance of the season. Came through the game unscathed, which will pleased Pep Guardiola.
Aleks Kolarov 7/10 – Was a constant threat on the left hand side and won the second penalty after being tripped. Played in his preferred left-back position after playing centrally against Sunderland. Could be a key player for Guardiola.
Fernandinho 8/10 – Playing in the holding role, the Brazilian recycled possession with ease. Was combative as ever and played an incisive ball to Aguero for the fifth goal.
Kevin De Bruyne 8/10 – Took some time to get involved but when he did he was unplayable. Set Nolito up with a sublime through ball and played a part in Aguero’s second starting off the move. Will grab assists with ease this season.
David Silva 8/10 – Once again playing in a deep-lying role, the Spaniard showed his class. Opened the scoring with an emphatic strike and tormented Steaua’s defence with his vision.
Raheem Sterling 9/10 – Came out the blocks fired up and won the first penalty after a fine turn inside the box. Then laid the ball on a plate for Aguero to open his account for the evening. The only thing missing was a goal and he was denied by an acrobatic save towards the end of the first-half. Looks a revelation under Guardiola.
Nolito 8/10 – The ex-Barca man hit the bar when following up the first missed penalty but was a menace in the second period. Took his goal nicely as he rounded the keeper in a composed manner. His link up play with Silva and Aguero improved as the game went on. A huge improvement from the weekend.
Sergio Aguero 8/10 – Shocked the world with two missed penalty misses early on. However, the prolific Argentine didn’t allow that to upset him as he tucked in the with one touch for his first of the night. In the second half he chased down every ball to the final minute and took his second and third goals in typical fashion. Has four in two this season and will score for fun in this system. Would have been a 10 if it wasn’t for the two pens.
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