Sub Aguero is back with a bang for City
THIS may have been a dead-rubber but Manchester City nevertheless ensured that they would qualify as winners of Group C with a perfect record, crowning this comfortable 3-0 victory over Marseille with a welcome goal for the returning Sergio Aguero.
City were already guaranteed to top the group but a sixth win from six and fifth clean sheet was ideal preparation for Saturday’s derby at Old Trafford.
Ferran Torres opened the scoring in the second half, maintaining his impressive record in these first few months of his Etihad career, and Raheem Sterling added a third late on but Aguero’s first goal since the opening round of Champions League games will have especially pleased Pep Guardiola.
Aguero was named in the squad for the first time since aggravating the knee injury that has plagued him since the summer and could be seen nursing himself better with a cup of Bovril during the first half. There is every chance he will be doing the same at Old Trafford on Saturday but his scoring cameo at least suggested he could make an impact off the bench if needed.
Guardiola’s line-up offered clues to his selection for Saturday, if few surprises. Kevin de Bruyne, Sterling and Gabriel Jesus were named as subs. Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan started as Kyle Walker returned.
There was a setback for City on the half-hour mark when Eric Garcia was forced off with a suspected hip injury. Guardiola was forced to opt for John Stones.
Stones denied Valere Germain the opportunity to put Marseille ahead, while stand-in goalkeeper Zack Steffen had to be alert when Pape Gueye slipped past Aymeric Laporte at the end of the first half. City’s concentration was slipping but, once both sides reemerged, Stones had a hand in the opening goal.
Raul is now the only Spaniard to score more Champions League goals than Torres before turning 21. The summer signing from Valencia has enjoyed himself in a false nine role, scoring his sixth for City after Stones and Bernardo Silva set Mahrez loose. Mahrez stepped inside and slipped Torres past the defensive line for a cool finish.
Aguero doubled the lead when Steve Mandanda failed to handle Nathan Ake’s towering header from a Phil Foden corner.
Mandanda then struggled to hold onto the ball once more, spilling Torres’ shot, and when a rebound hit Alvaro, Sterling was on hand to tap in.
(© The Independent)