There was plenty to admire in City’s 4-0 dismantling of Borussia Monchengladbach.
Club journalist @dclayton_mcfc picks out five topics for discussion…
1. Commanding General
While most of the City squad have started the season on the front foot, Nicolas Otamendi has begun by showing the sort of form that won him selection to the 2015 La Liga Team of the Year .
The Argentinian defender had a solid enough first campaign with the Blues, but his form has been a revelation this term. For a defender, he has all the attributes to be one of the best in Europe because he’s excellent in the air as well as being strong and clean in the tackle .
However it’s his incisive passing that’s come to the fore under Pep Guardiola. ‘Nico’ has been pinging in passes to the forwards that bypass the opposition midfield and makes it look easy.
His vision and ability on the ground was perhaps not the main reason ‘The General’ was brought to the Club, but under Guardiola, we are seeing a different Nicolas Otamendi who has proved he can be a major player for City this season.
2 Silky Ilkay
Ilkay Gundogan called his debut ‘a perfect day’ and few would argue otherwise.
The Germany international looks a class act and brings so much to the table. His movement and eye for a pass gives City another dimension going forward and his link-up play was outstanding when you consider this was his first game for the Blues.
His quick feet saw him dance around several challenges against Borussia Monchengladbach - and these are players who Ilkay well from the Bundesliga.
He always looked to move the ball forward at pace and will be a tremendous addition to the City midfield, particularly when he has Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva alongside him.
He won a penalty and perhaps should have had a couple of goals - but they will come in time. It’s not hard to understand why Guardiola was so keen to bring him to Manchester.
3. European swagger
The win over Borussia was one of the most confident Champions League performances by a City team yet and finally ended the hoodoo of never having won the opening group stage home fixture.
Napoli, Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid and Juventus had all previously left the Etihad with a point or more in the last four campaigns, immediately putting pressure on the Blues to win their next game.
In the past, there has been a hesitancy and difficulty adapting to Champions League football - in short, City couldn’t replicate their Premier League form in Europe. Last night, that wasn’t the case and the ease and confidence that oozed from the Blues suggests that the apprenticeship has been served in this competition. Of course, the double-header against Barcelona will tell us exactly how far we’ve come, but the signs are all very positive.
4. Records will fall...
Two hat-tricks in five games, three penalties dispatched and the praise of his manager ringing in his ears, just how many goals could Sergio Aguero bag this season?
It’s very early days, of course, but nine goals in five games is worth getting excited about and if he can avoid injury, Sergio could be set for his best season yet.
Kun is creating new Club records by the week and he continues to chase down those above him in the all-time goal-scorers’ list with leader Eric Brook now just 33 goals ahead of the prolific Argentine.
Could he do it this season? On this form, anything is possible.
5. Bravo, Claudio
He didn’t have much to do, but what he did do he did well!
Claudio Bravo endured an intense Old Trafford debut with the media glare unfairly turned full on his every move. He made one excellent save before half-time to keep Borussia at bay and his distribution was good throughout.
He will be happy to have got his first clean sheet under his belt and it’s likely he won’t be focused on as much as he has been in the weeks and months ahead. So two wins out of two for Claudio - Bravo Two Zero, you might say!
